Kenya Power transformer suppliers to sign warranty agreement
Kenya Power has introduced a warranty clause in contracts with its suppliers in a bid of improving the quality of power supply.
Suppliers will have to provide a warranty of six years and five years from the date of delivery and commissioning respectively.
Kenya Power Managing Director Ben Chumo said the move will contribute to improving the quality of power supply.
The warranty clause will initially target transformer suppliers before being cascaded to all material suppliers.
At the same time, transformer suppliers will be required to adhere to new guidelines as Kenya Power moves to arrest vandalism and improve the quality of power supply in the country.
Under the new guidelines, transformers will contain aluminum windings, as opposed to copper which is attractive to vandals.
“In the past, the challenge of vandalism has adversely affected our business thus calling for innovative ways of tackling that problem,” Mr Chumo said.
The requirement is expected to control the quality of transformers while at the same time prevent vandalism.
Suppliers will also be required to provide a list of critical raw materials and their sources in order to ease traceability of parts and control the quality of the equipment.
“By requiring transformer manufacturers to reveal their source of raw materials, the company will be in a position to avoid low standard equipment that could compromise the efficiency of the network,” he said.
Vandalism has been a major challenge for Kenya Power.
In 2015, 222 transformers were vandalized resulting into a loss of Sh86 million to the company.
Mr Chumo however said vandalism cases were on the decline as the firm stepped up surveillance.
Kenya Power has 59,000 transformers across its power distribution network.
In August Kenya Power signed a MoU with Toshiba Transmission and Distribution Systems for pilot installation and trial of new type of transformers with the aim of enhancing efficiency and helping to significantly reduce distribution losses.
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