Electric interconnection of eastern African countries well underway

Aug 1, 2007 - Xinhua

The electric interconnection of eastern Africa countries has been well underway, the private Walta Information Center reported onWednesday.

The news agency quoted Callixte Kampanda, executive secretary of the Addis Ababa-based Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), as saying that the interconnection between Kenya-Uganda and Rwanda- Burundi-the Democratic Republic of Congo has already been completed.

A major study is underway to have all countries in the region interconnected, Kampanda was quoted as saying.

EAPP was established by electric power corporations of Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan and Egypt in February 2005. Ethiopia hosts the EAPP permanent secretariat.

A feasibility study of 312 km Ethiopia-Sudan interconnection is completed and a power purchase agreement is being negotiated, according to the executive secretary.

He said a feasibility study of 283 km line with 230 kv transmission system between east Ethiopia's Dire Dawa town and Djibouti is completed and a power purchase agreement has been signed.

He further said that memorandum of understanding was signed between the governments of Ethiopia and Kenya and financing for a feasibility study and implementation have been under negotiation for the 1200 km with 400 kv connection between the two countries.

Studies are also being conducted to upgrade the existing interconnection between Rwanda-Burundi-DRC, Kenya and Uganda, said Kampanda.

He said there is a long-term vision to establish energy market in the region in a competitive manner with energy supply which is very affordable and reliable.

Reducing the electric cost in the region through interconnection and generation projects is also among the short- term objectives, he added.