KETRACO Energises 400/220kV Mariakani Substation, Transforming Power Supply to the Coast
Kilifi, Kenya — The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has energised the 400/220kV Mariakani Substation, a landmark infrastructure project set to significantly improve electricity reliability across the Coast region.
The commissioning of the substation is expected to deliver stable, adequate and affordable power to homes, businesses, hotels, and both small- and large-scale manufacturing industries, ending years of power instability and reducing reliance on expensive diesel generators.
Mariakani Substation serves as a critical gateway linking the Coast region to the Nairobi national transmission grid. By reinforcing this link at 400kV, KETRACO has unlocked the capacity to transmit more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity between Nairobi and Mombasa, easing pressure on the Coast’s power network and creating a strong foundation for industrial growth and investment.
The project forms part of the Nairobi–Mombasa Transmission Line and is a strategic component in strengthening Kenya’s national power transmission grid. It also enhances the regional interconnected power system, enabling Kenya to fully benefit from the 500kV Ethiopia–Kenya and 400kV Kenya–Tanzania power interconnectors.
In addition, the Mariakani Substation will support Kenya’s ambition of achieving 100 per cent clean energy by 2030.
The facility will allow increased transmission of geothermal power from Olkaria, wind energy from the Lake Turkana Wind Power Plant, and hydropower imports from Ethiopia to the Coast region.
“With this development, the Coast will significantly reduce its reliance on expensive and polluting diesel power, especially during peak evening hours,” said KETRACO Acting Managing Director Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias. “Cleaner, reliable and stable energy will now flow more efficiently, lowering costs and stabilising supply.”
The substation was financed through a partnership between the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (AfDB) at a cost of KES 3 billion, with China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd serving as the contractor under KETRACO’s supervision.
The energisation of Mariakani Substation completes Phase II of the Mombasa–Nairobi Transmission Line Project. With the earlier completion of the 400kV Isinya Substation in 2022, the entire 400kV transmission corridor is now operational, delivering over 1,000MW of clean energy, reducing technical losses, lowering power costs, and reinforcing grid reliability along the Coast.
