Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) has applied to Energy Regulatory Commission for a licence to transmit and supply electrical energy in bulk throughout the country through its transmission lines. This open access power transmission  system  is part of the Government’s plan to lower electricity tariffs. The plan will allow large electricity consumers to purchase power from generators to help meet urgent power needs.

Ketraco, a state corporation struck from Kenya Power and Lighting Company in 2008 was established to develop new high voltage electricity transmission infrastructure to form the backbone of the National Transmission Grid for Kenya Vision 2030 energy needs.

In the application made to ERC, Ketraco said its objective is to have transmission lines reach all the 47 counties in Kenya and also interconnect with grids of the neighboring countries. The infrastructure will comprise of transmission pylons, current carrying conductors and associated step-up /step-down substations. The electricity transmission voltages will be 132,000 volts; 220,000 volts 400,000 volts and 500,000 volts.

Ketraco will not compete with power distributor Kenya Power but its bid to supply bulk electricity to huge consumers will reduce the cost of distribution and this will result to lower loads on Kenya Powers' distribution lines, resulting to lower tariffs for consumers. Kenya Power will retain and transmit electricity on its current stock of existing 132kV and 220kV transmission lines, while Ketraco will transmit via the new 132kV, 220kV, 400kV and 500kV (HVDC) grid directly from electricity generators.