Tanzania Seeks Kenya’s Approval to Import Electricity from Ethiopia
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) in Kenya has confirmed receiving an application from Tanzania to import 100 megawatts of electricity from Ethiopia through Kenya’s transmission infrastructure.
EPRA Director General, Daniel Kiptoo, verified the receipt of the wheeling application, explaining that the request involves collaboration between Ethiopia Electric Power, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), and Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO).
Kiptoo noted that the application is currently under review, with a decision expected by the end of March after assessing the technical and economic aspects of the contract.
“We are in the process of reviewing both the technical and economic parameters. The matter is already in the public domain, and Tanzania’s Minister has spoken about the deal with the Ethiopian government, priced at around 37 US cents,” Kiptoo stated.
KETRACO is set to charge Tanzania a wheeling fee for utilizing Kenya’s transmission lines to transport the electricity. This move aims to alleviate persistent power shortages in Tanzania’s Northern Zone, which reportedly leads to economic losses exceeding Sh32 billion annually.
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan highlighted that importing power from Ethiopia is a strategic decision to address technical inefficiencies and energy losses incurred when transmitting power from the South-Eastern region to the Northern Zone.
Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa further emphasized that Tanzania’s membership in the North Africa Power Pool allows access to competitive electricity rates.
Meanwhile, Kenya Power has warned of a potential 30% hike in electricity costs if a proposed wayleave charge of KSh 200 per meter on power infrastructure is implemented.
CEO Joseph Siror stated that this would impose an annual financial burden of KSh 63.8 billion on consumers, contradicting the Energy Act 2019, which prohibits levies on public energy infrastructure without regulatory approval.
Source: Tuko News
