Sodo–Moyale–Suswa High Voltage Power Line

Sodo–Moyale–Suswa High Voltage Power Line (or Ethiopia–Kenya HVDC Interconnector) is a 500 kV bipolar high-voltage direct current electricity power transmission line, under construction, connecting the Wolayta converter station (6.9075°N, 37.72194°W) near Sodo, Ethiopia with the Suswa converter station (-1.06222°N, 36.35972°W) near Suswa, Kenya.

Location
The power line starts at Sodo (Wolayta-Sodo), in Wolaita Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, about 313 km, by road, south-west of Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. From Sodo, the power line runs in a south-easterly direction for approximately 400 km, as the crow flies, to Moyale, at the international border with Kenya.

From Moyale, the power line follows a south-westerly course to end near Suswa, in Kajiado County, approximately 600 km away, as the crow flies. The power line measures about 1045 km, of which, approximately 600 km, is in Kenya.

Overview
This power line serves one major purpose. It will enable Ethiopia to transfer surplus electricity to Kenya, for sale to the countries of the East African Community and the Great Lakes Region. The power generated in Ethiopia is less expensive than that generated in Kenya, and the new energy purchases are expected to lower the general power tariffs in Kenya and promote industrial growth in the country.

The entire power line in both countries is budgeted at KSh126 billion (approximately US$1.26 billion). Funding was sourced from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the principal financier. Completion is expected in June 2019. In August 2018, The EastAfrican reported that at that time, 75 percent of the work in Kenya was complete, while simultaneously, 90 percent of the work in Ethiopia was complete, with commissioning expected in 2019.

Construction in Ethiopia
The contractor for the 457 km, inside Ethiopia is China Electric Power Equipment and Technology (CET). CET is also responsible for cross-border cabling and a 40 km section in Kenya, near a place called Logologo. A new 500kV substation in Sodo is included in the scope of work. In September 2019, it was reported that CET had completed construction of the Ethiopian section of this power line.

Construction in Kenya
KEC International Limited (KEC), an Indian company, is contracted to build the 195 km section from Elboro to Logologo, both in Marsabit County.

Larsen and Toubro Limited is responsible for building the section from Logologo to Kinamba in Laikipia County, measuring 201 km. The Kinamba to Suswa section is contracted to Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, and it measures about 237 km. A new 500kV substation is included in the scope of work.