Nairobi: 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.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project will be implemented along sections of the country’s electricity network that are wildlife corridors, in partnership with US-based Kaddas Enterprises. It involves retrofitting wildlife-friendly covers on sections of power lines that are considered hotspots for electrocution.
The project was kicked off at the Sosyambu Conservancy, approximately 130 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, where electrocution of most birds of prey has been reported. The Soysambu Conservancy is a critical habitat for Kenya’s raptors such as the Augur Buzzard and Martial Eagle, species that utilize power lines and poles for perching and hunting.
Eng. Henry Pwani, Head of Research at IESR, stated that wildlife is part of Kenya’s national heritage and plays a significant role in the tourism sector. He emphasized the importance of Kenya Power’s role in energy distribution as a key component of the country’s economic growth. The project’s goal is to ensure peaceful coexistence between nature and energy infrastructure, and at IESR, the focus is on developing solutions that support this coexistence and enhance business efficiency.
Electrocution of animals and human activities account for most cases of power outages, estimated to be approximately 50 percent. Of these, 30 percent are attributable to wildlife contact with power lines.
The five-year partnership between Kenya Power (through IESR) and Kaddas Enterprises aims to substantially reduce cases of wildlife electrocution, as well as power outages resulting from these incidents.
Eng. Pwani noted that by safeguarding wildlife, the project improves power supply reliability, benefiting both the environment and business. IESR will continue exploring solutions for issues affecting the communities where Kenya Power operates.
The Lanet-Naivasha Interconnector, which traverses Soysambu Conservancy, has faced power supply interruptions linked to electrocution of birds and animals such as giraffes. Lessons from the implementation of the wildlife protection project along this line will be instrumental in the rollout of the project across other areas within the country.
Wesley Kerich, Kenya Power’s County Business Manager for Nakuru, stated that the line serves a significant part of Nakuru County. By undertaking this project, they aim to gather lessons helpful for rolling out the project in other hotspot areas.
Beyond retrofitting wildlife-friendly covers on power lines, the partnership between Kenya Power’s IESR and Kaddas Enterprises includes a training component for Kenya Power’s technical staff, intended to create awareness and develop champions for the wildlife protection agenda in designing energy infrastructure.
