Kenya Power, through its Institute of Energy Studies and Research (IESR), has rolled out a wildlife protection project to safeguard birds of prey and other animals from electrocution.
The project will be implemented along sections of the country’s electricity network that traverse wildlife corridors, in partnership with US-based Kaddas Enterprises. It involves retrofitting wildlife-friendly covers on sections of power lines that are considered electrocution hotspots.
The project was launched at Soysambu Conservancy, approximately 130 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, where numerous cases of electrocution involving birds of prey have been reported. Soysambu Conservancy is a critical habitat for Kenya’s raptors, including the Augur Buzzard and the Martial Eagle, species that use power lines and poles for perching and hunting.
Eng. Henry Pwani, Head of Research at IESR, said wildlife is part of Kenya’s national heritage and a key driver of the tourism sector. He noted that Kenya Power’s role in energy distribution is equally critical to the country’s economic growth.
“The project’s aspiration is to ensure the peaceful coexistence of nature and energy infrastructure,” he said, adding that IESR is focused on developing solutions that support this coexistence while enhancing business efficiency.
Electrocution of animals and human activities account for most power outages, estimated at approximately 50 per cent of all incidents. Of these, 30 per cent are attributed to wildlife contact with power lines.
The five-year partnership between Kenya Power, through IESR, and Kaddas Enterprises is expected to substantially reduce wildlife electrocution cases, as well as power outages resulting from such incidents.
“By safeguarding wildlife, we are also improving power supply reliability and delivering a better experience for our customers. This is a win-win situation for both the environment and our business,” said Eng. Pwani, adding that IESR will continue exploring solutions to issues affecting communities where Kenya Power operates.
The Lanet–Naivasha Interconnector, which traverses Soysambu Conservancy, has experienced power supply interruptions linked to the electrocution of birds and animals such as giraffes. Lessons learned from implementing the wildlife protection project along this line will be instrumental in rolling out similar interventions in other parts of the country.
“This line serves a large part of Nakuru County, and by undertaking this project here, we look forward to drawing lessons that will be useful as the project is rolled out in other hotspot areas across the country,” said Wesley Kerich, Kenya Power’s County Business Manager for Nakuru.
Beyond retrofitting wildlife-friendly covers on power lines, the partnership between Kenya Power’s IESR and Kaddas Enterprises also includes a training component targeting Kenya Power’s technical staff. The programme is intended to raise awareness and develop champions who will spearhead the wildlife protection agenda in the design and development of energy infrastructure.
— By Joseph Ng’ang’a, KNA
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