Kenya and France have deepened their energy cooperation through a Sh12 billion (€82.7 million) investment in a new National System Control Centre (NSCC) in Embakasi, Nairobi.
The project was showcased during a site visit by Thani Mohamed Soilihi, France’s Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships, hosted by Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and KETRACO.
Funded via concessional loans from the French Development Agency and the French Treasury, the NSCC is being implemented by GE Vernova and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet hailed the project as a symbol of France’s commitment to Kenya’s sustainable energy and infrastructure growth.
The NSCC will serve as a cutting-edge grid management hub, enhancing real-time electricity monitoring and integrating more renewable energy into Kenya’s power system.
Located at the Embakasi substation, with a backup centre in Suswa, it will feature advanced SCADA/EMS and asset management technologies.
KETRACO Managing Director Dr. John Mativo called the initiative a major step toward building a smart, resilient, and modern energy grid.
EU Ambassador Henriette Geiger also voiced support, linking the project to the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy for regional grid integration.
She emphasized the EU’s backing for interconnected infrastructure, citing the NSCC alongside the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector as key regional investments.
The NSCC is expected to be completed by February 6, 2028, positioning Kenya as a key player in the Eastern Africa Power Pool and regional electricity trade.