Kenya Power is investing approximately 765 million Kenyan shillings, or about $5.9 million, in the construction of two electricity substations in Kwale and Kilifi counties to improve the reliability and quality of power supply along Kenya’s coastal region.
The utility said construction of the Bomani 132/33 kV substation in Kilifi County is nearing completion. The project is being developed at a cost of 455 million shillings.
Once operational, the facility will help meet rising electricity demand from both existing and new customers in Kikambala, Vipingo, Kanamai and Mtwapa.
Kenya Power said electricity consumption in these areas has increased alongside growing industrial and commercial activity, driven partly by the expansion of large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises from neighbouring Mombasa.
The affected communities are currently served by the Kilifi and Bamburi 132/33 kV substations, whose capacity is increasingly being stretched by growing demand.
Meanwhile, Kenya Power is also close to completing a 33/11 kV substation in Kwale County, which is being constructed at a cost of 310 million shillings.
The facility will include four feeders and supply electricity to the Kwale county headquarters and nearby communities, including Kinango, Tiwi and Kombani.
According to the utility, the new Kwale substation will ease the burden on the existing Diani substation, which currently serves the area, while also creating additional supply points for customers.
“Network reliability and customer service excellence are one of our key focus areas as we undertake our role to provide electricity for economic growth,” Kenya Power Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joseph Siror said.
“We are committed to ensuring that these projects are completed within the set timelines and budget, to provide value to our customers,” he added.
Dr. Siror said similar infrastructure projects are being undertaken in other parts of Kenya, including network reinforcement initiatives designed to improve the resilience of the national electricity grid.
He added that Kenya Power is increasingly integrating technology into its network expansion and development plans as part of efforts to establish a smarter electricity grid and enhance service delivery.
During the financial year ending June 2026, Kenya Power connected 411,710 additional customers to the national grid, increasing its total customer base to 10.4 million.
The expansion in customer connections also contributed to an increase of 161.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in electricity sales during the financial year, the company said.