Cost comparison SGR Kenya vs SGR Tanzania

Geza Ulole said:

Nimeandika chinese first class railway standards! Idiot, hamna ambayo si continuous welded na electric SGR na ikawa chinese first class!

Here is when Kunyaland tried to have first class SGR in 2018 and failed ever since..!

KETRACO to electrify SGR in 28 months​

05 Feb 2018

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) signed a contract worth $240M with China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Company Limited (CET) on the 25th of January, 2018. This contract will result in the electrification of the SGR rail line that is currently powered by diesel. The project involves construction of 14 substations between Mombasa and Nairobi. The main purpose of this venture is to ensure that when the SGR switches to clean energy power source, the supply will be reliable and sufficient for not only the train but other facilities along the Mombasa-Nairobi economic belt including train stations, planned industries, factories and businesses near the railway. This will create more major power customers and consumers and bring other opportunities to the locals.

The design of the SGR railway, initially run by diesel-powered locomotives, allows for the addition of a single electric line that will be connected to KETRACO’s 482km 400kV Mombasa-Nairobi Transmission Line (MNTL) that was energized by President Uhuru Kenyatta on the 4th of August, 2017. MNTL, the longest and highest voltage transmission infrastructure in East Africa, has a transfer capacity of 1,500MW which is 200MW shy of the current national demand of 1,700MW. The line was constructed to address the challenges of low voltages, high transmission losses, unreliable supply including strengthening of network security and the national grid system. Its energization therefore debunks as flawed the myth that Kenya does not have a dependable source of electricity, most importantly one that can power the electric train network.

A little history on electric trains would suffice. At the turn of the 20th century, diesel trains replaced steam engines as a cleaner and efficient means of transport for commuters and commodities. Afterwards, engineers worldwide developed electric-diesel “hybrid” trains. With the advent of environmentally friendly wheeled vehicles in the 21st century, coupled with technological innovations in the field of energy production, Kenya will soon join the mosaic of countries with electric trains motorized by clean energy sources.

The transport sector, in many parts of the world, presents real environmental challenges, and as a people, we have a duty to safeguard a more ecofriendly future. As we make long term decisions that will affect the future of generations to come, it is prudent to consult accurate data. In 2015, while addressing 150 Heads of States and Governments at the Conference of Parties (COP21) Global Climate Summit in Paris, President Uhuru Kenyatta highlighted Kenya’s “introduction and management of low carbon and efficient transportation systems.” He further noted that “greenhouse gas emissions have reached the threshold with the net effect of causing irreversible global warming.”

World Bank reports that “the Paris Agreement targets require reducing transport-related emissions from the current 7.7 Gt (gigatons) CO2 equivalent to reach a goal of 2–3 Gt CO2 by 2050.” It further notes that currently “the entire transport sector – the mobility of people and transportation of goods – accounts for approximately 23% of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels or 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Moving from a high to a low-carbon transport sector requires combining tested success strategies that focus on urban integrated multi-modal transport and transit systems.”

According to a joint report by International Union of Railways and Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, travelling by rail is on average 3 to 10 times less CO2 intensive compared to road or air transport. Rail transportation emits about 0.2 pounds of CO2 per passenger mile. This number is much lower than those of air transportation, PSVs and personal cars.

Association of American Railroads report dubbed “Green from the Start” indicates that “estimates have shown that if just 10% of long-distance freight that is currently moving by truck were to be moved instead by diesel trains, the resulting carbon emission reduction would be the equivalent of taking 2 million cars off the road.” Mind boggling would be the results once the diesel trains are replaced by electric ones. Kenya’s case would be more dramatic as with KETRACO’s geothermal powered transmission line that will electrify the SGR, a zero CO2 emission could be achieved. This then calls for stronger partnerships amongst the key players for the ultimate success of this project that will reduce the carbon footprint of our Country and that of the world.

Additionally, our Country’s geographical position is quite unique and gives us great economic advantages that makes it perfect for strategic partnerships with the focus of improving regional and global market share. Our infrastructure, in specific the SGR, is a gateway to the vibrant East and Central Africa region. It is of supreme significance to our economy and the economies of landlocked countries in East Africa including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi. Starting from the port of Mombasa, the electric line will in the near future cope with increased trade between Kenya and our East African counterparts including the landlocked neighbors as it will be faster and more efficient. In the words of Hon. Chirau Ali Mwakwere, the former Transport Minister, “by 2030 Mombasa is expected to handle more than 30 million tonnes of cargo annually.” This necessitates the electrification of the rail line that is a requisite for faster movement of bigger containers and passengers in the quest to boost EA’s competitiveness as an investment hub.

As I conclude, the electrification of SGR has had its fair share of criticism with its opponents questioning its economic viability to the Country. However, I do believe that in the long run the benefits will far outstrip the costs of construction. From a further reduction in transport/travel costs thanks to cheaper more reliable energy source to the creation of new jobs during the 28 month electrification phase. With increased speeds, the number of trips will double if not triple and result in opening the access to rail transport for millions of Kenyans. Urbanization along the SGR route cannot be ignored. A faster more efficient transport system will cut costs of food transport and that will lead to reduced prices of commodities for the common mwananchi. The regional growth expected in future due to the electrified line will significantly cut journey intervals between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda for both goods and passengers: this will fortify ties between the countries creating a network of links between ports and cities in East Africa.

KETRACO to electrify SGR in 28 months | Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd

www.ketraco.co.ke

Click to expand...

Geza Ulole said:

Nimeandika chinese first class railway standards! Idiot, hamna ambayo si continuous welded na electric SGR na ikawa chinese first class!

Here is when Kunyaland tried to have first class SGR in 2018 and failed ever since..!

KETRACO to electrify SGR in 28 months​

05 Feb 2018

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) signed a contract worth $240M with China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Company Limited (CET) on the 25th of January, 2018. This contract will result in the electrification of the SGR rail line that is currently powered by diesel. The project involves construction of 14 substations between Mombasa and Nairobi. The main purpose of this venture is to ensure that when the SGR switches to clean energy power source, the supply will be reliable and sufficient for not only the train but other facilities along the Mombasa-Nairobi economic belt including train stations, planned industries, factories and businesses near the railway. This will create more major power customers and consumers and bring other opportunities to the locals.

The design of the SGR railway, initially run by diesel-powered locomotives, allows for the addition of a single electric line that will be connected to KETRACO’s 482km 400kV Mombasa-Nairobi Transmission Line (MNTL) that was energized by President Uhuru Kenyatta on the 4th of August, 2017. MNTL, the longest and highest voltage transmission infrastructure in East Africa, has a transfer capacity of 1,500MW which is 200MW shy of the current national demand of 1,700MW. The line was constructed to address the challenges of low voltages, high transmission losses, unreliable supply including strengthening of network security and the national grid system. Its energization therefore debunks as flawed the myth that Kenya does not have a dependable source of electricity, most importantly one that can power the electric train network.

A little history on electric trains would suffice. At the turn of the 20th century, diesel trains replaced steam engines as a cleaner and efficient means of transport for commuters and commodities. Afterwards, engineers worldwide developed electric-diesel “hybrid” trains. With the advent of environmentally friendly wheeled vehicles in the 21st century, coupled with technological innovations in the field of energy production, Kenya will soon join the mosaic of countries with electric trains motorized by clean energy sources.

The transport sector, in many parts of the world, presents real environmental challenges, and as a people, we have a duty to safeguard a more ecofriendly future. As we make long term decisions that will affect the future of generations to come, it is prudent to consult accurate data. In 2015, while addressing 150 Heads of States and Governments at the Conference of Parties (COP21) Global Climate Summit in Paris, President Uhuru Kenyatta highlighted Kenya’s “introduction and management of low carbon and efficient transportation systems.” He further noted that “greenhouse gas emissions have reached the threshold with the net effect of causing irreversible global warming.”

World Bank reports that “the Paris Agreement targets require reducing transport-related emissions from the current 7.7 Gt (gigatons) CO2 equivalent to reach a goal of 2–3 Gt CO2 by 2050.” It further notes that currently “the entire transport sector – the mobility of people and transportation of goods – accounts for approximately 23% of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels or 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Moving from a high to a low-carbon transport sector requires combining tested success strategies that focus on urban integrated multi-modal transport and transit systems.”

According to a joint report by International Union of Railways and Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, travelling by rail is on average 3 to 10 times less CO2 intensive compared to road or air transport. Rail transportation emits about 0.2 pounds of CO2 per passenger mile. This number is much lower than those of air transportation, PSVs and personal cars.

Association of American Railroads report dubbed “Green from the Start” indicates that “estimates have shown that if just 10% of long-distance freight that is currently moving by truck were to be moved instead by diesel trains, the resulting carbon emission reduction would be the equivalent of taking 2 million cars off the road.” Mind boggling would be the results once the diesel trains are replaced by electric ones. Kenya’s case would be more dramatic as with KETRACO’s geothermal powered transmission line that will electrify the SGR, a zero CO2 emission could be achieved. This then calls for stronger partnerships amongst the key players for the ultimate success of this project that will reduce the carbon footprint of our Country and that of the world.

Additionally, our Country’s geographical position is quite unique and gives us great economic advantages that makes it perfect for strategic partnerships with the focus of improving regional and global market share. Our infrastructure, in specific the SGR, is a gateway to the vibrant East and Central Africa region. It is of supreme significance to our economy and the economies of landlocked countries in East Africa including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi. Starting from the port of Mombasa, the electric line will in the near future cope with increased trade between Kenya and our East African counterparts including the landlocked neighbors as it will be faster and more efficient. In the words of Hon. Chirau Ali Mwakwere, the former Transport Minister, “by 2030 Mombasa is expected to handle more than 30 million tonnes of cargo annually.” This necessitates the electrification of the rail line that is a requisite for faster movement of bigger containers and passengers in the quest to boost EA’s competitiveness as an investment hub.

As I conclude, the electrification of SGR has had its fair share of criticism with its opponents questioning its economic viability to the Country. However, I do believe that in the long run the benefits will far outstrip the costs of construction. From a further reduction in transport/travel costs thanks to cheaper more reliable energy source to the creation of new jobs during the 28 month electrification phase. With increased speeds, the number of trips will double if not triple and result in opening the access to rail transport for millions of Kenyans. Urbanization along the SGR route cannot be ignored. A faster more efficient transport system will cut costs of food transport and that will lead to reduced prices of commodities for the common mwananchi. The regional growth expected in future due to the electrified line will significantly cut journey intervals between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda for both goods and passengers: this will fortify ties between the countries creating a network of links between ports and cities in East Africa.

KETRACO to electrify SGR in 28 months | Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd

www.ketraco.co.ke

Click to expand...

Jimi Wanjigi reveals how SGR initial cost was Ksh.55B, but ended up at over Ksh.300B​

In Summary​

• Wanjigi said he differed with the Jubilee government when initial agreements allegedly started being broken as the project progressed.
• The business magnate said SGR was initially supposed to cost Ksh.55 billion, but the figure went to over Ksh.300 billion.
• He also revealed that the railway line was supposed to run from Mombasa to Malaba, but it later came to his attention that it was only going to run from Mombasa to Nairobi.

Join @citizentvke Telegram channel​

• SGR Kenya was 6 times overpriced, from Kshs 55 bln to Kshs 300 bln!
• Jimmy says during Kibaki's era for every 100 Kshs 18 Kshs went to pay debt while now 75 Kshs go to pay debt!
• Poverty rate in Kenya was 36% when Uhuruto came to power and NOW it is 52%!

Geza Ulole said:

Jimi Wanjigi reveals how SGR initial cost was Ksh.55B, but ended up at over Ksh.300B​

By Ian Omondi For Citizen Digital
Published on: August 30, 2021 09:29 (EAT)




Businessman-turned-politician Jimi Wanjigi speaks to RMS Director of Innovation and Strategy Linus Kaikai on August 29, 2021. PHOTO / CITIZEN DIGITAL

In Summary​

• Wanjigi said he differed with the Jubilee government when initial agreements allegedly started being broken as the project progressed.
• The business magnate said SGR was initially supposed to cost Ksh.55 billion, but the figure went to over Ksh.300 billion.
• He also revealed that the railway line was supposed to run from Mombasa to Malaba, but it later came to his attention that it was only going to run from Mombasa to Nairobi.

Businessman-turned-politician Jimi Wanjigi has now revealed that he was the brains behind the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), going ahead to give insight into intrigues that went on behind the scenes of arguably the biggest Jubilee government project to date.

Wanjigi, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV on Sunday night, said he differed with the Jubilee government when initial agreements allegedly started being broken as the project progressed.

The business magnate said SGR was initially supposed to cost Ksh.55 billion, but the figure went to over Ksh.300 billion, causing massive friction between himself and the government.

He also revealed that the railway line was supposed to run from Mombasa to Malaba, but it later came to his attention that it was only going to run from Mombasa to Nairobi, and still at nearly six times the original set cost no less.

“SGR was a project birthed by me in 2008 with a company called China Road and Bridge. We birthed it, we spent a lot of money doing what you call feasibility studies and technical studies,” he said.

“What I recall of the project cost was something like Ksh.55 billion, from Mombasa all the way to Malaba. After 2013, it came to my attention that it was now not a project worth Ksh.55 billion between Mombasa and Malaba but Ksh.300-plus billion just from Mombasa to Nairobi. And I said this does not make sense to me. This is where we differed.”




According to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party presidential ticket contender, the intention of the SGR project at the conception stage was for it to be private, with government only leasing the land.

He claimed that money meant for the project was to be provided by the Chinese, not the Kenyan taxpayers; an agreement he further alleges that the government backtracked on.

“The intention when we began was that rail was going to be a private rail, nothing to do with government. In fact government was just supposed to provide the land which we were prepared to lease, it was like a real estate project,” he stated.

“At the time, Rift Valley rail had a concession of 22 years, and it wasn’t doing well. Cargo had reduced when it took over, from something like 24% to 4%, so we were saying let’s change the game.”

He added: “My intention and the intention of China Road and Bride was for it to be a public private partnership, but then it became a government project. The debt we have today for that railway is phenomenal.”




Wanjigi further revealed that he was also involved in the planning and construction of the Thika Superhighway, which he said he even helped the government raise money for.

“I was an agent of companies that participated in Thika Road, I even raised the money, because ADB funded about Ksh.22 billion, there was a shortfall of about Ksh.10 billion, which we managed to raise from China,” he revealed.

“In 2003, when the president was going to China, I had a lot of Chinese government friends, and one of the things they were offering as a gift to the Kenyan people through the new president was a stadium. I went and pleaded and said there are enough stadiums in Kenya and especially in Nairobi, at the time, what Kenyans need is an improvement of roads because our infrastructure under the previous administration had become very dilapidated. We managed to get a grant, a gift to the Kenyan people, of $150 million that did the road from the airport all the way to Gigiri.”




For Citizen TV updates

Join @citizentvke Telegram channel​

Jimi Wanjigi reveals how SGR initial cost was Ksh.55B, but ended up at over Ksh.300B

citizentv.co.ke

MY TAKE
The brain behind SGR Kenya Jimmy Wanjigi is spilling the beans on the so claimed first class chinese SGR that was 6 times overpriced!

Click to expand...

Teargas said:

Kweli wewe Ni mjinga kuliko hata akina 007. In your mind do you think $500M can be used to construct SGR from Mombasa to malaba?

Click to expand...

Geza Ulole said:

In 2008 why not? Mind u the deal was to be without rolling stock and was to not be electrified!

Click to expand...

Simon said:

with government only leasing the land..

Click to expand...

Teargas said:

Huwa ukiongelea 1st Class Chinese railway standards huwa wanadhani Ni trains, hakuna watu wajinga Kama watanzania. And that's why you will see them typing crazy non existing things like "Electrical SGR" 😂😂😂😂

Click to expand...

Geza Ulole said:

Jimi Wanjigi reveals how SGR initial cost was Ksh.55B, but ended up at over Ksh.300B​

By Ian Omondi For Citizen Digital
Published on: August 30, 2021 09:29 (EAT)




Businessman-turned-politician Jimi Wanjigi speaks to RMS Director of Innovation and Strategy Linus Kaikai on August 29, 2021. PHOTO / CITIZEN DIGITAL

In Summary​

• Wanjigi said he differed with the Jubilee government when initial agreements allegedly started being broken as the project progressed.
• The business magnate said SGR was initially supposed to cost Ksh.55 billion, but the figure went to over Ksh.300 billion.
• He also revealed that the railway line was supposed to run from Mombasa to Malaba, but it later came to his attention that it was only going to run from Mombasa to Nairobi.

Businessman-turned-politician Jimi Wanjigi has now revealed that he was the brains behind the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), going ahead to give insight into intrigues that went on behind the scenes of arguably the biggest Jubilee government project to date.

Wanjigi, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV on Sunday night, said he differed with the Jubilee government when initial agreements allegedly started being broken as the project progressed.

The business magnate said SGR was initially supposed to cost Ksh.55 billion, but the figure went to over Ksh.300 billion, causing massive friction between himself and the government.

He also revealed that the railway line was supposed to run from Mombasa to Malaba, but it later came to his attention that it was only going to run from Mombasa to Nairobi, and still at nearly six times the original set cost no less.

“SGR was a project birthed by me in 2008 with a company called China Road and Bridge. We birthed it, we spent a lot of money doing what you call feasibility studies and technical studies,” he said.

“What I recall of the project cost was something like Ksh.55 billion, from Mombasa all the way to Malaba. After 2013, it came to my attention that it was now not a project worth Ksh.55 billion between Mombasa and Malaba but Ksh.300-plus billion just from Mombasa to Nairobi. And I said this does not make sense to me. This is where we differed.”




According to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party presidential ticket contender, the intention of the SGR project at the conception stage was for it to be private, with government only leasing the land.

He claimed that money meant for the project was to be provided by the Chinese, not the Kenyan taxpayers; an agreement he further alleges that the government backtracked on.

“The intention when we began was that rail was going to be a private rail, nothing to do with government. In fact government was just supposed to provide the land which we were prepared to lease, it was like a real estate project,” he stated.

“At the time, Rift Valley rail had a concession of 22 years, and it wasn’t doing well. Cargo had reduced when it took over, from something like 24% to 4%, so we were saying let’s change the game.”

He added: “My intention and the intention of China Road and Bride was for it to be a public private partnership, but then it became a government project. The debt we have today for that railway is phenomenal.”




Wanjigi further revealed that he was also involved in the planning and construction of the Thika Superhighway, which he said he even helped the government raise money for.

“I was an agent of companies that participated in Thika Road, I even raised the money, because ADB funded about Ksh.22 billion, there was a shortfall of about Ksh.10 billion, which we managed to raise from China,” he revealed.

“In 2003, when the president was going to China, I had a lot of Chinese government friends, and one of the things they were offering as a gift to the Kenyan people through the new president was a stadium. I went and pleaded and said there are enough stadiums in Kenya and especially in Nairobi, at the time, what Kenyans need is an improvement of roads because our infrastructure under the previous administration had become very dilapidated. We managed to get a grant, a gift to the Kenyan people, of $150 million that did the road from the airport all the way to Gigiri.”




For Citizen TV updates

Join @citizentvke Telegram channel​

Jimi Wanjigi reveals how SGR initial cost was Ksh.55B, but ended up at over Ksh.300B

citizentv.co.ke

MY TAKE

The brain behind SGR Kenya Jimmy Wanjigi is spilling the beans on the so claimed first class chinese SGR, he says:

• SGR Kenya was 6 times overpriced, from Kshs 55 bln to Kshs 300 bln!
• Jimmy says during Kibaki's era for every 100 Kshs 18 Kshs went to pay debt while now 75 Kshs go to pay debt!
• Poverty rate in Kenya was 36% when Uhuruto came to power and NOW it is 52%!

Click to expand...

Kafrican said:

There is really no difference between what Wanjigi was proposing and What GoK did, in both cases, we would have still ended up paying the same amount of money ( actually we would have even ended up paying more in a PPP project.)

What Wanjigi is talking about is Public Private Partnership, The Chinese would have full ownership of the project for like 60 years (Just like how China is planning to own Bagamoyo for 99 years)... So GoK would have paid only 55 Billion as her contribution to the project but that would never have been the cost o the project, Chinese would have used billions more to construct it but then they would pay themselves by owning the project until they make a return on investment... So the people would have ended up paying for it all the same. And with the way Afristar is asking for 1 billion a month to run the SGR, do you think Kenya would have ever owned the rail if it was a PPP project where they can only revert ownersip to Kenya after they have made profits???? Afadhali hivyo tulikopa deni na tukishalipa baada ya miaka 15, umiliki wa reli utakua wetu kuliko tungelipa hela kidogo lakini wachina wamiliki reli for between 60 - 99 years!!

It is the same thing that is happening with Nairobi Expressway PPP project, GoK is contributing afew billions of tax payers money but China will own the expressway untill they get back all they spent + profit...

Click to expand...

Geza Ulole said:

Nimeandika chinese first class railway standards! Idiot, hamna ambayo si continuous welded na electric SGR na ikawa chinese first class!

Here is when Kunyaland tried to have first class SGR in 2018 and failed ever since..!

KETRACO to electrify SGR in 28 months​

05 Feb 2018

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) signed a contract worth $240M with China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Company Limited (CET) on the 25th of January, 2018. This contract will result in the electrification of the SGR rail line that is currently powered by diesel. The project involves construction of 14 substations between Mombasa and Nairobi. The main purpose of this venture is to ensure that when the SGR switches to clean energy power source, the supply will be reliable and sufficient for not only the train but other facilities along the Mombasa-Nairobi economic belt including train stations, planned industries, factories and businesses near the railway. This will create more major power customers and consumers and bring other opportunities to the locals.

The design of the SGR railway, initially run by diesel-powered locomotives, allows for the addition of a single electric line that will be connected to KETRACO’s 482km 400kV Mombasa-Nairobi Transmission Line (MNTL) that was energized by President Uhuru Kenyatta on the 4th of August, 2017. MNTL, the longest and highest voltage transmission infrastructure in East Africa, has a transfer capacity of 1,500MW which is 200MW shy of the current national demand of 1,700MW. The line was constructed to address the challenges of low voltages, high transmission losses, unreliable supply including strengthening of network security and the national grid system. Its energization therefore debunks as flawed the myth that Kenya does not have a dependable source of electricity, most importantly one that can power the electric train network.

A little history on electric trains would suffice. At the turn of the 20th century, diesel trains replaced steam engines as a cleaner and efficient means of transport for commuters and commodities. Afterwards, engineers worldwide developed electric-diesel “hybrid” trains. With the advent of environmentally friendly wheeled vehicles in the 21st century, coupled with technological innovations in the field of energy production, Kenya will soon join the mosaic of countries with electric trains motorized by clean energy sources.

The transport sector, in many parts of the world, presents real environmental challenges, and as a people, we have a duty to safeguard a more ecofriendly future. As we make long term decisions that will affect the future of generations to come, it is prudent to consult accurate data. In 2015, while addressing 150 Heads of States and Governments at the Conference of Parties (COP21) Global Climate Summit in Paris, President Uhuru Kenyatta highlighted Kenya’s “introduction and management of low carbon and efficient transportation systems.” He further noted that “greenhouse gas emissions have reached the threshold with the net effect of causing irreversible global warming.”

World Bank reports that “the Paris Agreement targets require reducing transport-related emissions from the current 7.7 Gt (gigatons) CO2 equivalent to reach a goal of 2–3 Gt CO2 by 2050.” It further notes that currently “the entire transport sector – the mobility of people and transportation of goods – accounts for approximately 23% of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels or 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Moving from a high to a low-carbon transport sector requires combining tested success strategies that focus on urban integrated multi-modal transport and transit systems.”

According to a joint report by International Union of Railways and Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, travelling by rail is on average 3 to 10 times less CO2 intensive compared to road or air transport. Rail transportation emits about 0.2 pounds of CO2 per passenger mile. This number is much lower than those of air transportation, PSVs and personal cars.

Association of American Railroads report dubbed “Green from the Start” indicates that “estimates have shown that if just 10% of long-distance freight that is currently moving by truck were to be moved instead by diesel trains, the resulting carbon emission reduction would be the equivalent of taking 2 million cars off the road.” Mind boggling would be the results once the diesel trains are replaced by electric ones. Kenya’s case would be more dramatic as with KETRACO’s geothermal powered transmission line that will electrify the SGR, a zero CO2 emission could be achieved. This then calls for stronger partnerships amongst the key players for the ultimate success of this project that will reduce the carbon footprint of our Country and that of the world.

Additionally, our Country’s geographical position is quite unique and gives us great economic advantages that makes it perfect for strategic partnerships with the focus of improving regional and global market share. Our infrastructure, in specific the SGR, is a gateway to the vibrant East and Central Africa region. It is of supreme significance to our economy and the economies of landlocked countries in East Africa including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi. Starting from the port of Mombasa, the electric line will in the near future cope with increased trade between Kenya and our East African counterparts including the landlocked neighbors as it will be faster and more efficient. In the words of Hon. Chirau Ali Mwakwere, the former Transport Minister, “by 2030 Mombasa is expected to handle more than 30 million tonnes of cargo annually.” This necessitates the electrification of the rail line that is a requisite for faster movement of bigger containers and passengers in the quest to boost EA’s competitiveness as an investment hub.

As I conclude, the electrification of SGR has had its fair share of criticism with its opponents questioning its economic viability to the Country. However, I do believe that in the long run the benefits will far outstrip the costs of construction. From a further reduction in transport/travel costs thanks to cheaper more reliable energy source to the creation of new jobs during the 28 month electrification phase. With increased speeds, the number of trips will double if not triple and result in opening the access to rail transport for millions of Kenyans. Urbanization along the SGR route cannot be ignored. A faster more efficient transport system will cut costs of food transport and that will lead to reduced prices of commodities for the common mwananchi. The regional growth expected in future due to the electrified line will significantly cut journey intervals between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda for both goods and passengers: this will fortify ties between the countries creating a network of links between ports and cities in East Africa.

KETRACO to electrify SGR in 28 months | Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd

www.ketraco.co.ke

Click to expand...

Geza Ulole said:

Aawapii u didn't get the value of the money! Do us a favor by breaking down the cost of $3.6 bln for SGR Kenya!

Click to expand...

Geza Ulole said:

Update: electrical SGR Morogoro-Makutupora 70% done and counting...

Click to expand...

Kafrican said:

Just accept that you don't know what rail standard means

Tanzania kupitia Yepi mnafwata AREMA standards, AREMA ni standard ya USA, USA hana reli inayotumia umeme!!!! Tafakari hayo kabla ujibu

Click to expand...