Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir explained the reason why blackouts are being witnessed in the country is as a result of network overload.
According to the CS, the country has not invested in transmission networks for about 5 years and yet it continues to build the industry.
Thus, he notes that the power demand increased causing constraints on the transmission networks available.
Further in a press briefing at Kawi Complex in South C, the CS stated that he experienced the effects of the blackout firsthand as he was flying into the country at the time.
”When it happened, I was flying in from Dubai and I experienced first-hand the anger because I was at the airport and the belt stopped, so we could not get our luggage, ” said CS Chirchir.
”The generators did not take off immediately and it is a challenge that as a country we are really ashamed of, and we need to address it,” he noted.
Also Read : CS Energy David Chirchir Sheds Light on Nation Wide Blackout
Also, he indicated that the national blackout that occurred on December 10, was as a result of an overloaded line along the Kisumu- Muhoroni line.
“Lack of investment in the network for a long time. We have continued to build industry, but we have not built a network in the last four or five years and the network is overloaded.
“There is so much constrain of transmission of electrons from where they are generated. Yesterday the blackout was caused by an overload between Kisumu, Muhoroni when there was sudden demand,” he stated.
Further explaining the reason for the power loss, the CS noted that the line was overwhelmed by the huge demand leading to the fault and subsequently blackout across the country.
“The line is meant to carry 80 megawatts when the line dripped, it was carrying 150 megawatts and suddenly there was a demand for an additional 20 megawatts on that line.
“This led to a cascade of generation drips resulting in widespread power outages. We are finalizing restoration, and it is something we must pay attention to as a country,” he explained.
The loss of the Kisumu-Muhoroni link led to a sudden increase in power flow on the Juja – Lessos – Muhoroni link, leading to overload at Olkaria 2 transformers and Dandora –Juja transmission link. This led to the cascade of generation trips resulting in widespread power outages.
However, parts of the Western region, including Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia remained on supply from Musaga substation using the alternative source of supply from the Uganda power system.
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