A “system disturbance” has knocked out the common transmission grid which supplies Kenya and Uganda causing both East African countries to suffer a power blackout on May 9, 2020.
Both Kenya Power (KPLC.NR) and it’s Uganda counterpart admit that the power in both the countries went out around 5:49 local time.
The situation remains unresolved at press time.
KaftanPost investigation shows that major cities of Kenya, especially the capital Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa already hit by the COVID-19 induced lull in tourism which is the bread and butter of Kenyan economy are now reeling under this unusual occurrence to the bemusement of residents.
Dr Mora Wansa, a medical doctor based in the capital city couldn’t hide his frustration. Asked about how he is faring, he said “I’m actually charging my phone in my friend’s car,” he lamented.
” I just woke up and the power was out. I hope they fix it soon.”
The situation isn’t distinct in Uganda. kaftanPost reporters in Kampala witnessed the seeming resignation of the populace to this situation which seems out of their control.
Many ordinary Ugandans appear unaware of the technical factoids of the interconnectedness of their electric power grid with neighbouring Kenya.
Engineers on both sides of the Lake Victoria are at work feverishly searching for quick resolution of this technical embarrassment which has delivered a ruined weekend to populations already severely restricted by curfews and lockdowns aimed at containing the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, known as COVID-19.
Both Kenya, the regional economic powerhouse and Uganda a stable and pivotal player in regional politics are key members of the East African economic bloc with an operational common market and sight set on a common currency, subject to many convergence parameters still far from view in the hazy horizons of poorly performing economies that dominate East Africa.
With almost 50 million persons, Kenya is Africa’s seventh most-populated nation and trails only Ethiopia in the East. Uganda, meanwhile, has a population of nearly 35 million.
However, it is the Harambee nation’s economy that holds sway in the region, boasting an estimated GDP of $99.246 billion and per capita GDP of $2,010 from agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, manufacturing, energy, tourism and financial services.
Chronic political instability and erratic economic management since the implementation of self-rule have produced a record of persistent economic decline that has left Uganda among the world’s poorest and least-developed countries. It has a projected per capita GDP of $1,097.647.
However, both countries’ grids are interconnected.
“Our engineers are working to identify and address the hitch, towards restoring normal electricity supply,” Kenya Power said in a statement.
Uganda Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd also confirmed the blackout on its Twitter account.
“We have lost transmission across the nation … please bear with us as we investigate the cause and work on restoration,” it said.
Uganda’s current installed electricity capacity stands at 1,252.4 megawatts. However,r consumption stands at slightly above 650 megawatts during peak hours, which creates a surplus of half of what is generated.
At least by the end of 2020, Uganda’s generation capacity is expected to grow to 1,681 megawatts.
In January 2018, both countries suffered major blackouts due to what they said were system disturbances.
