Supply & Installation of Rural Distribution Networks / Kenya

The Last Mile projects in Kenya form part of a high profile campaign by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank to bring power to the most remote parts of the country. BES competed in an open international bidding process and was successful with one lot covering nine counties.

BES was contracted to build over 1600km of MV/LV lines and to complete 39,000 service connections in very rural areas incorporating some of the most remote areas in Kenya. Several areas faced significant security issues requiring armed security details to protect the workers.

Work commenced in 2019, with the establishment of a large office and warehouse facility in Mlolongo, which housed a BES staff of over 40, predominantly made up of project engineers and support staff. The warehouse acted as a staging post for all the project materials, both imported and locally sourced, prior to distribution to sites. BES also worked with about 40 local contracting firms to ensure a smooth and efficient contruction phase for the project.

The project experienced significant challenges with the onset of Covid and the resulting restrictions of movement both internationally and locally. Exemptions were issued by the GoK for workers on the project - deemed to be high priorty by the Government.

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The project was challenging both in the vast geographical coverage and the bureacratic process required in capturing the client locations and details for the 39000 connections. This information should have been presented by KPLC prior to project commencement, but in reality no data collection had been done so it became incumbent upon BES to carry out this exercise . This involved considerable interaction with local people to educate them on the reasons for the project, the benefits it would bestow on them, and the registration of those details with KPLC to release prepaid meter numbers for installation on the network.

The project also faced considerable challenges with the distribution of materials to site, which required the procurement by BES of a large number of project vehicles of all sizes to complete the deliveries.

Despite the above, BES succesfully completed all contracted works, including retention works, and the project was commissioned in all contracted areas.

Geothermal Power Supply / Kenya

Supply of Drilling Materials for Geothermal Power Station – Olkaria 2 Steamfield, Kenya.

Background

The customer was seeking to increase its power generation output by utilising the natural steam deposits in the Great Rift Valley. The Olkaria Power Station, situated in the Hell’s Gate National Park, is being extended to cater for this increase in output.

Originally built in 1981 and 1985, Olkaria 1 had a production capacity of 70MW, but was only producing 45MW. Olkaria 2 had a capacity of 98MW, but was only producing 70MW. Studies showed that there was sufficient capacity in the reserves to supply 150MW for up to 30 years.

The World Bank committed funds to source the expansion of this geothermal energy project.

The customer went to public tender to source the materials required for the drilling programme. BES Group won a substantial part of this supply contract.

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Geothermal Power Supply

Products & services supplied

Materials successfully delivered included Rock Bits, Drill Pipe, Drilling Mud, Cement Additives and Lubricants, Master Valves, and a wide variety of equipment and spare parts required in the drilling process.

All products supplied were sourced from BES Group's worldwide supply network of market leaders, and given full warranty.

Geothermal Power Supply

Results

BES Group were able to supply exceptionally well-priced products, from reputable manufacturers, within very tight delivery schedules. We coordinated all of the ordering, packing, delivery to port, and shipping, as well as the liaison between inspection agencies, manufacturers and shipping lines. We also conducted numerous factory visits throughout production, to check the quality of the goods prior to despatch.

As a result of our efforts, all materials were delivered seamlessly to the customer, in perfect order and within the desired timeframe.

BES Group. British Engineering Services

Case Studies / View by Country

Supply & Installation of Rural Distribution Networks / Kenya

Geothermal Power Supply / Kenya

Background

Products & services supplied

Results