GE Vernova-Larsen and Toubro consortium will build an advanced National System Control Center for Kenya Electricity Transmission Company to monitor and manage the country’s national electricity grid.
The work will include constructing a Main Control Centre building in Embakasi, equipped with advanced grid software solutions and the latest substation automation, monitoring, and communication equipment.
Additionally, an Emergency Control Centre building in Suswa will be constructed, featuring the same systems and an Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system for transmission operations. GE Vernova booked the order in the first quarter of 2025.
Kenya has set ambitious electricity goals aimed at achieving universal access and transitioning to a sustainable energy future.
The country aims to ensure that 100 percent of its population has access to reliable and affordable electricity by 2030. To achieve this, Kenya is investing heavily in expanding its electricity grid and enhancing generation capacity.
Additionally, Kenya is focusing on enhancing energy efficiency and developing smart grid technologies to optimize electricity transmission, distribution and consumption.
It was stated that a new, advanced National System Control Center (NSCC) is essential for managing increased electricity demand as Kenya’s economy grows.
When commissioned, the new NSCC system would play a critical role in supporting our mandate as System Operator (SO).
It will ensure reliable, secure, and efficient electricity transmission across the country. It is a game-changer for Kenya’s electricity transmission capabilities, significantly improving our ability to manage the grid, enhance the quality of power, and integrate renewable energy sources,” said Eng. John Mativo, the Managing Director of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).
GE Vernova, through its French entity Grid Solutions SAS, will lead the consortium and provide advanced grid technology from its Electrification Software and Grid Automation portfolio.
This technology includes two solutions from its GridOS orchestration software portfolio—Advanced Energy Management Systems (AEMS) and Wide Area Management Systems (WAMS)—Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM), and several solutions from its grid automation portfolio – GridBeats.
Larsen & Toubro will handle all civil works, including the construction of two fully equipped greenfield control center buildings, equipment installation, and support for system configuration, testing, and commissioning. The project is expected to be completed within three years.
The project is made possible through a financing partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Treasury, which are providing vital support to KETRACO for the development of a stronger and more sustainable electricity grid in Kenya.
France is committed to supporting sustainable infrastructure projects in Kenya, notably in the Power sector, as part of the broader ongoing collaboration between Kenya and France on energy transition and climate.
A modern NSCC will make the Kenyan grid more resilient and reliable, enabling the integration of more variable renewable energy and ultimately providing more reliable and affordable power to Kenya’s businesses and households.
“The project is fully financed by France with two separate and complementary financing from AFD and the French Treasury, supported by a related grant from the European Union dedicated to Capacity building,” said the French Ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet.