Ethiopia begins supplying electricity to Tanzania through Kenya’s transmission network
Following the trial phase, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) is expected to begin paying a wheeling tariff to KETRACO for using Kenya’s transmission network to receive electricity.
Ethiopia has begun supplying electricity to Tanzania for the first time, using Kenya’s high-voltage transmission network. The pilot project marks a significant milestone in advancing regional power trade across East Africa.
The pilot test sent electricity from Ethiopia through Kenya’s 400-kilovolt Suswa-Isinya transmission line and onward to the Kenya-Tanzania interconnector.
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This is the first time that Ethiopia’s electricity has reached Tanzania through Kenya’s national grid.
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) Managing Director John Mativo confirmed that the power flow increased from 225 megawatts to 262 megawatts during the test. The transmission corridor functioned as planned, and the test showed that the system can carry power across borders effectively.
"We are doing trial runs to confirm that we can safely and reliably carry 20MW to Kenya and a further 100MW to Tanzania," said Mativo.
After the trial, Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) is expected to start paying a wheeling tariff to KETRACO for using the Kenyan network to receive electricity.
While the duration of the electricity supply agreement remains undisclosed, KETRACO could earn up to Sh24 billion from the Ethiopia-Tanzania power exports within the first three years.
Tanzania plans to use the imported power to support the energy supply, especially in regions where shortages are common.
Linking electricity systems
This is also the first time Kenya’s electricity transmission system has been used by one neighbouring country to transfer electricity to another.
It highlights the role of Kenya’s grid in linking national electricity systems and supporting regional power trade.
The test is part of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), a group of 13 countries working to improve access to electricity and strengthen energy cooperation across the region. The pool promotes shared infrastructure and cross-border electricity trading to help meet energy needs more efficiently.
Regional power supplier
Ethiopia, which already supplies about 200 megawatts of electricity to Kenya under a long-term deal, is further cementing its role as a regional power supplier through the new project with Tanzania.
The country’s expanding hydropower capacity has enabled it to generate surplus electricity for export.
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Financing for the infrastructure that enabled this pilot project came from Kenya’s National Treasury, with support from development partners.
Support from the World Bank, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, and European Investment Bank enabled the completion of transmission links essential for cross-border electricity trade.
These interconnectors form part of a broader plan to integrate electricity grids across eastern and southern Africa.
The goal is to create a more reliable and connected regional power market, where countries with surplus electricity can supply those facing shortages
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