The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum today hosted the French Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, Thani Mohamed Soilihi, for a site visit to the National System Control Centre (NSCC) project site in Embakasi, Nairobi.

Mohamed Soilihi was received by Mr Alex Wachira, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department of Energy, and Dr (Eng.) John Mativo, KETRACO Managing Director and CEO, emphasising the strong bilateral ties and shared collaboration to advance Kenya’s National Electricity Transmission Grid.

The NSCC project, with a total budget of €82.7 million (KES 12 billion), is financed by France through a €48.6 million concessional sovereign loan from the French Development Agency (AFD) and a €34.1 million concessional loan from the French Treasury.

The construction contract has been awarded to a consortium comprising GE Vernova and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

It is a flagship example of strategic French financing and French expertise in the energy sector in Kenya.

This initiative is a priority for Kenya, promising significant environmental benefits through better integration of renewable energy sources, social advantages by improving access to electricity, and economic gains by reducing outages and transmission losses.

The NSCC is part of the larger AFD RETNET programme (€94 million), which also includes the development of a digital substation in Makindu, technical assistance, completion of ongoing works on the Nairobi Ring and sectoral studies conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

Moreover, a €7 million grant from the European Union, delegated to AFD, is allocated for capacity building in grid management, primarily benefiting KETRACO.

“France is committed to supporting critical infrastructure projects that enhance sustainability, energy reliability and economic growth. As Kenya’s power infrastructure grows, a modern NSCC will significantly enhance robust electricity infrastructure and grid stability, prevent blackouts and support the transition from diesel generators to reliable, green energy sources as part of the broader ongoing collaboration between Kenya and France on energy transition.

The project is a strong testament to the enduring partnership between Kenya and France in the energy and climate sectors.

It is fully financed by France with two separate and complementary financings from AFD and the French Treasury.

With over 1 billion euros in completed and ongoing financing, Kenya holds the largest energy portfolio for AFD in East Africa.” said H.E. Arnaud Suquet, the French Ambassador to Kenya.