Nairobi, Kenya - (September 28, 2001) U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Johnnie Carson today signed a grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) with the Kenya Power and Lighting Company Ltd. (KPLC) for a $498,804 feasibility study. The study will examine four priority electrical power transmission projects in southern Kenya. A competitively selected U.S. consultant will conduct the study.

Currently, Kenya suffers from routine power outages and brownouts. Furthermore, the demand for electricity is increasing at a rate of 4.9 percent per year. With Kenya's gradual integration into an interconnected East Africa Power Pool, the nation's developmental priority has shifted from power generation projects to a renewed concentration on strengthening the overall stability and reliability of the country's internal transmission network. Thus, KPLC and the Kenyan Ministry of Energy have prioritized four new projects to improve transmission:

1. The 150 km single circuit Kamburu - Meru 132 kV line.
2. The 170 km double circuit Olkaria - Lessos 220 kV line.
3. Rehabilitation of the Naivasha and Lanet substations.
4. The 85 km single circuit Lessos - Kisumu 132 kV line.

This TDA-sponsored study will allow a U.S. consultant to work with KPLC in examining the technical, economic, financial and environmental factors influencing the implementation of these four transmission projects.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency promotes American private sector participation by helping U.S. companies pursue business opportunities in developing and middle income countries. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized training grants, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance, we help American businesses compete for infrastructure projects in emerging markets. In addition, the agency promotes capacity building initiatives and supports U.S. government trade, economic policy and development objectives around the world.

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