Volume 5 Issue 022, May - June 2016

East Africa’s Informative Journal in Developing Infrastructure

Volume 5 Issue 022, May - June 2016

K & M Archplans @ 38

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

TRANSPORT

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ENERGY

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HOUSING

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COMMUNICATIONS

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WATER 1

Editorial ENSURE SAFETY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

Editor Eric Obwogi

Advertising Executives Peter Acham - Kenya Jobunga Ndere - Uganda W. Minga - Tanzania Eva Gichohi - Rwanda

Media Manager Peter Acham Finance & Administration Ben Akwa

Design and Layout Simon G. Warui

Published and Printed by Spako Media Limited P.O. Box 4517-00100 Nairobi - Kenya Tel: +254 20 2395373 Cell:+254 712 896013 +254 773 547046 Email: admin@eainfrastructure-engineer.com Web: www.eainfrastructure-engineer.com East African Infrastructure & Engineering Review Journal is published bi-monthly and is circulated to members of relevant associations, governmental bodies and other personnel in theBuilding & Construction Industry as well as suppliers of plant and equipment, materials and services in East Africa.

The Editor welcomes articles and photographs for consideration. Materials may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of advertisements or contributions contained in this journal. Views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. ŠAll rights reserved

Construction, along with mining, is one the most dangerous landbased occupations, exposing thousands of workers to risks daily. These risks are ubiquitous and highlight a plethora of hazardous materials and perilous situations. Working at heights, with heavy machinery, dangerous substances such as asbestos and sometimes explosives, this is an industry that has to have its wits about it. This is why it is imperative that contractors pay attention to site safety and adhere to Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) rules.

Failure to have a SHE file on site is against the law and exposes the contractor and the client to risks that have the potential of closing both businesses. Contractors and clients must be fully aware of these risks to workers. On top of the safety risks on site, contractors and clients need to understand all regulations prescribed by the Ministry of Labour and the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, all of which provide for workers’ rights.

Construction workers engage in a number of activities, which expose them to hazards. These include falling from ladders or rooftops, exposure to electrical wires, machinery and equipment, tools, materials and dangerous substances.

Workers must operate tools and machinery correctly and apply products according to manufacturers’ directions and specifications. Safety on site is critical. The onus is on the contractor to provide site staff training on Health and Safety aspects and how to manage risks on sites. Having a SHE file on site therefore is of utmost importance for any responsible contractor.

SHE files contain accurate records of happenings on the site and record visits. Most importantly, SHE files document all information regarding site safety.

According to records, leading hazards on sites are workers falling from heights, being struck by falling tools, materials and objects and electrical accidents. On top of this, there are a number of health related risks arising from the use of paint solvents over lengthy periods, dust and noise and, especially, asbestos fibres. It can be argued that in most instances, if instructions and precautions in the SHE file were adhered to, no accidents should occur on any site.

Safety in construction in East Africa is one of the issues that is often taken for granted, and accidents on sites swept under the carpet. Stakeholders have to wake up to the fact that workers are the lifeblood of any company, or project for that matter, and their safety and health is of utmost importance. Protection of the environment during implementation of projects cannot be overemphasized either. All must play their role in ensuring sustainable development, a gift which is a gift to future generations.

The onus remains on contractors who have to ensure that sites remain safe at all times. Compliance with the law relating to the employment of site staff and their safety is vital in the construction industry.

Vigilance must be observed, though, because this is where contractors may push the boundaries of the intention of the law. Regulations are intended to protect the rights of workers and contractors who fail to toe the line should face stiff deterrent penalties. Further to this, clients who use the services of non-compliant contractors must face the same consequences.

Sites are dangerous zones. Uneven ground, holes, building materials, scaffolding, unprotected structures and general work in progress pose significant risks to injury. Strict adherence to safety principles is a must on all construction sites. The answer may appear simple in that following the law should prevent injury, however continuous and meticulous adherence to all safety measures, and constant attention to detail, is critical to not only prevent injury but to save lives on sites.

Editor

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CONTENTS

NEWS

HIGHLIGHTS

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Centum plans to construct exclusive city in Kilifi County, Kenya

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Aga Khan University to be constructed in Tanzania

Rivers Mall - in Kenya to open in June this 16 Two year partners with Tanzania to construct 2,561 19 China km railway line 38 years, K&M Archplans is one of the most 20 Atdecorated architectural firms in East Africa

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28 Ryce East Africa Scoops The Platinum Award Concrete Technology: Aerated and 34 Advanced Foamed concrete – What to produce

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hangars to Housing projects: PSRM Con36 From sultants’ multidisciplinary experience inspires

Construction of new pipeline from Mombasa to Nairobi to take longer

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he construction of the new pipeline from Mombasa to Nairobi is expected to cost more and take longer than projected; this is according to Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).

KPC Acting Managing Director, Mr. Joe Sang confirmed the reports and said that the cost of constructing the pipeline will go up mainly because of the depreciation of the shilling against the dollar since its financing was agreed upon, the shilling was trading at Sh87 to the dollar by then and it is currently trading at Sh101.48.

“The cost of constructing the pipeline will somehow increase mainly due to the depreciation of the shilling against the dollar since its financing was agreed upon”, said Mr. Sang.

He further explained the duration will also be increased due to several challenges like delayed finances, delayed agreements on some technical features, removal of squatters from its way and also because of bureaucracy between Kenya Pipeline and other government agencies.

“There are emerging uncertainties that have come up and while we’re doing everything under the sun to deliver the project, applicable laws will be applied accordingly,” Mr. Sang addressed the Public Investments Committee.

A Lebanese construction firm Zakhem International was the company contracted in 2014 to develop the US$ 490m pipeline. The company will also be required to assemble a fibre optic cable along the route, fix four pumping stations for the

pipeline and finally upgrade the existing KPC fire-fighting equipment in Nairobi.

The current existing pipeline that links Mombasa and Nairobi was also built by Zakhem International in 1973 but has however outlived its 30-year lifespan and is prone to ruptures.

Most of the refined fuel imports in Kenya and the imports in transit on the way to other neighbouring countries have to be transported by truck which is slow and unreliable owing to breakdowns and poor roads.

Zakhem International S.A. is an international Construction, Engineering and Investment Group of Companies founded in 1963 in Lebanon to meet the expanding construction needs of the Middle East and Africa.

remarkable growth

Says Tanzanian Rail Option Is Cheaper, 39 Rwanda Shorter Than Kenya

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NEWS

Centum plans to construct exclusive city in Kilifi County, Kenya

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n artist impression of Two Rivers Mall.

Centum now eyes the construction of a major city in Kilifi County in Kenya.

The construction of an exclusive city in Kilifi County at the Kenyan Coast is set to commence; this is according to NSE-listed investment company, Centum which is the company behind the mega project. The city will sit on a 9,500 acre piece of land.

Centum has already begun on preparations for the construction and through this advancement they will have extended their entry into the high-end real estate development.

Regulatory filings illustrate that the project which is dubbed the economic hub will be developed in phases. The

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Deloitte report ranks Kenya high in infrastructure projects

first phase will see the construction of an infrastructure on 900 acres of the land and is expected to cost US$ 8m.

The 900 acres has been divided and it includes residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational, and public zones.

“The Master Plan development has been phased for over 30 years and it will be gradually implemented at an average rate of 900 acres in the first years and 200 acres per year starting with areas without sisal and later on land with old crop that will not be replaced,” says part of the regulatory filings.

Centum’s subsidiary, Athena Properties Ltd which is a construction firm, will carry out the infrastructure works for the state of the art development in Kilifi.

Centum, which is also behind the Two Rivers Mall is tipped to be Kenya’s biggest on completion, is building the city on land it bought last year from Rea Vipingo Holdings, a plantation firm that sold part of its land as it de-listed from the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The Two Rivers Mall which sits on 100 acres is set to be completed in the coming months. The NSE listed company is also developing Pearl Marina in Uganda, this is a project that consists of two hotels, office blocks and apartments set on 385 acres.

The investment company is also building a 1,000-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Lamu that will sit on 869 acres.

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

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enya continues to lead the region in terms of infrastructure development with 20 roads, energy, harbors,water and energy projects. Ethiopia comes second with 12 projects according to a report compiled by consultancy Deloitte.

Large mega projects for the last three years occupied up to 20 per cent of all the total capital investment in Africa with a cumulative worth of US$568 billion, a big chuck of it coming from financiers and foreign aid such as the World Bank and even China.

According to the report transport infrastructural development took a bigger portion of Africa’s development budget kitty with 51 per cent of the projects being transport

related projects. “Transport infrastructural development took up 51per cent of projects, energy and power (30 per cent), water (eight per cent) and social development (four per cent),” says the report.

The continent has also been treated to a new trend of infrastructural investment especially in the real estate sector countries like Kenya and Tanzania have recorded significant growth. Other upcoming sectors are entertainment, retail, modern office parks, hotel space and lifestyle facilities.

“The mix of projects has expanded to incorporate the retail estate sector where countries such as Kenya and Tanzania are experiencing significant growth in Retail,

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

entertainment and lifestyle facilities, modern office parks, and hotel space.”

Mushrooming of urban centers characterized by a strong growing middle class economy that has richly embraced the use of green energy and open spaces has attracted foreign direct investments an area where investors are reaping huge yields from technology, real estate rentals, innovation and sustainability.

Of all the projects under focus, local governments funded 36 per cent of the construction projects with foreign contractors employed to implementing them, followed

by China with 21 per cent while public private partnership claimed 13 per cent.

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Garden City mall sees Sh32m savings from solar

he newly opened Garden City Mall projects that it will save about Sh31.6 million annually from power bills due to its new solar hybrid system launched on Tuesday.

The solar carport will generate 1,256 Megawatt hours annually from the 3,300 solar panels installed on the topmost car park shade.

The director of UK company Solarcentury which installed the panels, Guy Lawrence , said the system (a $1.9 million investment) will use the dual-mode technology to provide solar energy throughout the day.

In the event that no solar power is generated during the day due to weather conditions, power from the national grid is consumed, he said.

“If Garden City was paying for it, they would reduce pow-

er bills by 40 per cent. That is about $300,000 annually without using the national grid power. Since there is no power bank, the mall consumes 100 per cent power from the grid during the night and during the day in the event of no solar power generated. This means that less is used from the grid,” said Mr Lawrence.

He added that the dual-mode system, unveiled by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Joseph Njoroge will ensure consistent energy supply is produced while reducing diesel and grid consumption.

Mr Lawrence added that the flagship project would “open the mindset” of Kenyans about solar as an alternative source of energy.

“When the grid is down, the system reduces the con-

sumption of costly diesel backup generators. The main challenge we face is the mindset that solar can be the backbone of a progressing society in the wake of climate change. As Kenyans, it is not our time to eat, it is our time to make a change,” he said.

The chief executive officer and founder of Solar Africa, James Irons, said during the unveiling that the project is set to cut carbon emissions by around 745 tonnes annually.

“This project demonstrates both commerciality and sustainability towards a renewable energy revolution. We offered Garden City a finance solution that meant they do not need to pay all of the upfront costs to design, produce and install the system. The more solar the less carbon emission prints,” he said.

Garden City to put up office blocks in phase II UK Investment firm Actis is set to construct offices at Garden City in the next phase of the mixed development located on Thika Road, Nairobi.

Actis will put up office blocks dubbed Garden City Business Park next to the Garden City Mall.

The business park is part of the $540 million (Sh54 billion) project including Garden City’s flagship mall and residential apartments. The International Finance Corporation and the CDC are also investors in the project.

Construction of the first

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East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

phase of the project that included the mall and residential apartments was completed mid this year. The second phase will also have residential apartments.

Actis East Africa managing director Michael Turner said the business park targets tenants seeking convenient access to amenities such as hotels and shopping malls.

“With the completion of the first phase and the addition of the Garden City Business Park, we are one step closer to this vision,” said Mt Turner.

The new office park, targeted at Nairobi’s growing business community, will benefit from the huge range of dining, shopping and leisure activities at Garden City Mall as well as hotel and hospital facilities.”

The residential part of the second phase of the project will see the roll out of 56-four

bedroom villas and 83 apartments, all on a 21 acre plot next to the main mall.

The first phase included construction of 76 apartments consisting of two-bedroom, three-bedroom and duplexes. Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero said the project will be given all approvals within one month.

“We will reduce approval period to four weeks to encourage investors in this sector,” said Mr Kidero.

Developers are increasingly putting up a mix of hotels, retail shops, offices in their residential units as response to buyers who are preferring to have all facilities close to where they are buying houses.

Centum Investments is adding hotels, schools, apartments and offices at its Two Rivers development on the Northern Bypass in Runda, Nairobi County.

NIB starts building Sh16 billion Thiba Dam in August

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Chinese conglomerate Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) International Real Estate is developing a 43-storey office block, a fivestar hotel, and a 25-storey apartment complex in Westlands, Nairobi.

State-owned National Housing Corporation (NHC) announced that going forward, commercial properties will be included in all of its residential developments.

More offices are expected to come up over the next two years due to a surge in developments in most nodes of the city.

“It’s getting clearer by the day that the Nairobi office market is headed for an over-supply in the next couple of years due to increasing vacancy rates and planning applications for new offices,” said realtor MML in its office market report for the July.

he new dam will see farmers diversify from growing rice, the only major cash crop in the region, to other produce such as horticulture.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide Sh10 billion for

the project with the government putting in the balance of Sh6 billion.

“The overall impact of the project will be an addition of a significant proportion of food to the country’s food basket as it will enable farmers to diversify to other crops,” said Julius Mutuaruchiu, the Mwea Irrigation Development Project Regional Coordinator.

The project will generate enough water for farming and expand the existing Mwea irrigation scheme’s area to 6,600 acres.

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NEWS The project will establish a reservoir to hold 15.6 million cubic metres of water for the expanded irrigation project which will see farmers plant crops twice per year.

Mr Mutuaruchiu said that 95 per cent of the land earmarked for the dam had been evacuated to pave the way for the dam following government compensation of owners.

He said that 76 farmers, who chose land instead of monetary compensation, had been settled on 200 acres hived from Gathigiriri G.K. Prison and 150 acres from AHITI Ndomba.

Building the dam will

NEWS take 45 months while laying infrastructure, which will start in July, is expected to take 35 months.

NIB has been expanding irrigation schemes to help small-scale farmers reduce over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture and boost the country’s food production.

The board was allocated Sh10 billion in this year’s supplementary budget to go towards building new irrigation schemes as well as expanding small ones across the country.

According to the Economic Survey 2016, Kenya’s expenditure on irrigation development grew from Sh764 million in 2012 to Sh12.5 billion last year, underscoring the

importance the government has attached to the sector.

Kenya has contracted Israeli firm Green Arava to develop a 10,000-acre model irrigation farm at Galana-Kulalu in Tana River before expanding the project to a million acres.

The project is a public-private venture where the government provides irrigation infrastructure while private investors plant and manage crops.

Kenya has an annual maize deficit of 20 million bags and is banking on irrigation to boost stocks and slash imports from mainly Uganda and Tanzania.

Plans to construct a 40MW solar power plant in Kenya underway

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lans are underway for the construction of a 40MW solar power plant in Kenya in Lamu area, by a Kenyan company; this is after the approval of its feasibility study by the Ministry of Energy.

Kenya Solar Energy Ltd (Kensen) which is the company behind the project will start constructing the solar plant in September this year on a 100-acre piece of land at the coastal town of Lamu’s Witu area and the development has already attracted several investors.

Kensen Managing Director, Mr. Stephen Migwi confirmed the news and said that the construction which will be

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funded by a loan from China is projected to produce electricity that will be fed to the national grid in the third quarter of 2017.

“The project will be funded by a loan from China and will take eight months to be complete,” Mr. Migwi said.

However, the Chinese com-

pany is still in talks with the Kenyan electricity distributor, Kenya Power and is expecting them to get to a conclusion of signing a power purchase agreement that will determine the rate at which the utility will buy the electricity for future sale to consumers.

Electricity production in

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

Kenya nowadays depends on imported energy, like natural gas and fuel oil, while as the country operates below 1350MW instead of the essential 15,000MW as of today, however, there is still room for competition in the

solar industry since its total installed power capacity is 2,294MW with solar power accounting for less than one per cent and this fact presents a huge market for interested solar companies. This initia-

tive will lead to Kenya’s economic growth.

Kenya Solar Energy Limited [Kensen] is a locally registered Private Company Incorporated in the Year 2012 that Invests in Renewable Energy.

Aga Khan University to be constructed in Tanzania

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he Aga Khan University has announced that the institution will soon start the construction of the Aga Khan University campus in Arusha soon. This will make Arusha, which houses the headquarters of the East African Community (EAC) and allied regional organizations, play and integral role as the intellectual, political and social hub of the region.

The project is a section of the planned $500 million expansion plan in East Africa by the Aga Khan. It seeks to admit students in health sciences and arts from across the East African region — notably from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.

Senior officials from the

EAC who visited the site, located four kilometers from the heart of the city along Dodoma Road on Friday, were briefed that all was ready for start of the project.

The site covers a total of 3,200 acres, and the potential area for investment sits on 1,700 acres.

Jesca Eriyo, the EAC deputy secretary general said the East African Community was keen to see the project come to material so as to benefit the region in areas such as training the youth in various academic disciplines.

The project will “identify areas of co-investment and partnerships with locals by engaging civil society groups and other community-based lobbies to build human resource capacity,” she said.

The president of the

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East African Court of Justice Mr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja expressed gratitude to the Aga Khan for the success of Aga Khan Foundation projects, adding that the East African Community was committed to offer all the necessary support to facilitate the success of the university.

The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly Mr. Daniel F Kidega said the regional Assembly was keen to formulate the relevant legislation to support the vision of the Aga Khan.

In 2007, the Aga Khan announced plans to set up a major university in Arusha, representing the largest expansion for AKU since the opening of its first campus in Karachi, Pakistan 25 years ago. The architectural design plan for the project is already in its final stages.

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Plans to construct 2000MW hydro dam in Ethiopia underway

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lans to construct 2, 000MW hydro dam in Ethiopia, on the lower bank of the Omo River are underway. An Italian export credit agency, Servizi Assicuative del Commerce Estero (SACE) has agreed to fund the development.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn confirmed the great news and said that the deal for the construction of the dam which is dubbed Koysha dam came after successful negotiations between Ethiopia’s Electric Power (EEP) and Italian construction firm Salini Costruttori.

“The deal was sealed after a successful negotiation between Ethiopia’s Electric Power (EEP) and Italian construction firm Salini Costruttori,” said the Prime Minister.

The mega development of the dam is projected to cost a whopping US$ 1.7bn and will be funded by the Italian company,

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SACE. An Ethiopian delegation which was led by the CEO of EEP Azeb Asnake, and the head of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation’s Legal Affairs Directorate Wasihun

This is a very good initiative since it will help in Ethiopia’s vision of becoming the centre for the renewable energy in Africa.

Abate, flew to Rome to seal the financing agreement.

This is a very good initiative since it will help in Ethiopia’s vision of becoming the centre for the renewable energy in Africa.

The country is currently constructing the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) which is projected to be the largest dam in Africa. It is being built on the Blue Nile and already over 50 percent complete. They have also made the 1,800 capacity Gibe III dam operational.

Under its five-year development plan, Ethiopia has made it a priority to increase their energy supply and is currently looking to utilize its rivers for power generation. They also recently signed a US$ 4bn deal for the construction of a 1,000MW geothermal facility with a US-Icelandic firm Reykjavik Geothermal. It will be Ethiopia’s first privately-run power plant.

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

The onus, however, remains on contractors who have to ensure that sites remain safe at all times. Compliance with the law relating to the employment of site staff and their safety is vital in the construction industry.

Jäckwarns though that this is where contractors may push the boundaries of the intention of the law. BIBC imposes regulations that are intended to protect the rights of workers and contractors who fail to toe the line will be found guilty of a serious offence and could face closure.

Further to this, clients who use the services of non-compliant contractors face the same consequences.

Sites are dangerous zones.

Uneven ground, holes, building materials, scaffolding, unprotected structures and general work in progress pose significant risks to injury. Strict adherence to safety principles is a must on all construction sites. The answer may appear simple in that following the law should prevent injury, however continuous and meticulous adherence to all safety measures, and constant attention to detail, is critical to not only prevent injury but to save lives on sites.

Jäck says that SHE files should never be taken lightly.

It is the responsibility of the contractor’s client to ensure the health and safety of all on their site so they should insist on one. It forms a vital part of every construction project and if the contractor is unable to provide one, any reputable health and safety consultant will be able to.

Bidco plans 1.2MW solar plant to cut expensive power costs

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usinesses are adopting green energy to help cut costs.

Consumer goods manufacturer Bidco Africa plans to construct a 1.2 megawatt (MW) solar plant at its headquarters in Thika in a bid to cut its energy costs.

Bidco, which manufactures edible oils, cooking fats, soaps, and detergents, looks to save millions of shillings in power costs annually with the installation of 3,920 solar panels on rooftops of its buildings.

Construction of the plant is set to start in June and will take six months to complete.

“We have plenty of rooftop space available and this project can put our energy situation in our own hands, at an affordable price, which is a fantastic position to be in,” Bidco chief executive Vimal Shah said in a statement without indicating project cost.

The project is also set to shrink the company’s carbon footprint as emissions drop.

Bidco, which is constructing a Sh4 billion soft drinks plant in Thika, currently generates 70 per cent of it energy needs from sawdust, macadamia husks and other agricultural waste through co-generation.

The solar energy, priced

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

at between Sh6 and Sh7 per kilowatt hour (kWh) will be for Bidco’s exclusive use.

At Sh7 ($0.07), the solar plant electricity is about the same price as geothermal energy and about three times cheaper than diesel generated power.

The manufacturer now joins companies like Centum Investment which is constructing a 2 MW solar plant to power its Two Rivers Development-- a Nairobi-based real estate project that is designed to host the largest shopping mall in the East and Central Africa region.

Sh650 million savings Garden City Mall on Nairobi’s Thika Road launched a solar carport last September that generates part of the electricity consumed at the shopping complex. Strathmore University has installed solar panels with a capacity of 0.6 MW. READ: Garden City mall sees Sh32m savings from solar Bidco’s solar project will be developed by Astonfield Solar.

Companies developing solar plants in the country include Kenyan firms Kopere Solar Park and Kenya Solar Energy, each with an installed capacity of 40 MW to be injected to the national grid.

Others are UK firm Solarcentury, Green Energy Africa and Greenmillenia Energy.

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Bidco Africa begins constructing beverage plant in Kenya

idco Africa which manufactures daily consumer products has began the construction of a US$ 40m beverage plant in Kenya with commissioning planned for mid 2017.

The new beverage plant in Kenya, to be constructed in Thika will comprise of a production and bottling facility for non-carbonated still drinks, carbonated soft drinks and water and will be funded by the Bidco Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Vimal Shah confirmed the reports and said that the upcoming beverage plant is part of an expansion plan that will see the company consider going into other manufacturing streams as it looks to grow its business four-fold from the whopping US$500m

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hour; this is according to report published by the IFC in 2014 when it was considering giving the firm a loan for the project.

Another separate plant will produce about 100 million plastic bottles per year.

The estimated annual production capacity of the soft drinks plant is 50 million litres to be split among the different product lines such as energy, sports drinks, and smoothies (with and without milk).

Bidco Africa, which was founded in 1970 as a garments factory, controls more than 60 per cent of the cooking fat market and 54 per cent of the cooking oil market in Kenya; it currently manufactures edible oils, cooking fats, soaps, baking powder, animal feeds and detergents.

US$ 30 million required to spur Lamu port project in Kenya

he Lamu Port project in Kenya that is already under a 2 year delay requires US$30 million to unlock the stalemate, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Board Chairman, Marsden Madoka recently said. Speaking during the Board’s visit to the Lamu port site, acknowledged that delays in paying the Chinese contractor had slowed progress on the Lamu port project since 2013.

The Kenya government in 2013 awarded the port con-

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annual turnover.

“The groundbreaking for the soft drink factory was conducted in February but the actual construction started early this month, we had hoped that the plant would be operational by the end of this year but some regulatory hurdles have forced us to move that target to around June of next year,” said Mr. Shah.

Bidco’s new beverages factory will have two processing lines and each will have a capacity of producing 24,000 bottles per

struction tender to the Chinese Communication Construction Company http://en.ccccltd.cn/ http://en.ccccltd.cn/(CCCC) for a quoted 482,881,975 million dollars in which they were expected to build four berths in a 45 month span.

Madoka however, expressed optimism that the national government would provide funding to unlock the delay which he said had contributed to the project running behind schedule.

“The Lamu port project is a 1.6

billion dollar investment that is so far at 2 per cent, which for the most part has been site preparations”, the KPA chairman said.

He said their visit to the Lamu port site signals the importance of the venture towards the actualisation of the LAPSSET project.

The chairman however said that despite the delay, the current contractor remains committed towards ensuring that the first berth is completed by 2018.

General Manager In-charge of

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

infrastructure development, Eng. Abdullahi Samatar said KPA is committed towards having the first berth being completed by 2018.

He also voiced concern that any further delays in funding the project may lead to expensive claims being made on the part of the contractor to the national government.

“As the contractor has already committed substantial resources in terms of personnel and monetary resources in building the site from the ground up, further reschedules may lead to the Lamu project incurring extra cost for keeping the contractor on without actual work being done”, Eng. Samatar said.

The foreign construction company has currently employed 100

local staff and 20 Chinese staff for the project.

“About shs.10 billion is the current estimate that needs to be

set aside for the Lamu Port project to kick off without a hitch”, revealed the deputy project coordinator, Gallon Zhang.

Kenya receives US$ 415m from donors for last mile project

The Kenyan government has received US$ 415m from donors for the last mile project that will help in the connection of electricity to approximately one million homes in the country.

Kenya Power which is an electricity distribution company confirmed the reports and said that the government has already secured US$ 415m for the last mile project and an additional US$ 128m is expected this month subject to board approvals from respective donors.

In regard to the first phase of the project, the African Development Bank (AfDB) had already given out its funds as promised; this is according to reports from Kenya Power.

Furthermore, World Bank has also issued US$ 148m through the International Development Association (IDA)

under the Kenya Electrification Modernization Project to light up 312,500 homes.

The boards of French funded Agencie Francaise Development (AFD) and the European Union (EU) has as well approved US$118m funds that will connect an additional 230,000 homes.

“The AFD board approved its fraction in December 2015 while EU board’s approval was done in January 2016. We are now waiting for the signing of the loan agreement which is expected in April 2016,” the Kenya Power report indicated.

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

The Last Mile Connectivity Project comes with a change of approach at how electricity connections are done in Kenya. Whereas citizens used to make applications with long procedures in the past, now Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification Authority will ask Kenyans by visiting their homes to allow them to connect their households to electricity.

Kenya Power agencies will ensure that all households that are located near electricity transformers are connected to power whether the owner makes an application for power connection or not.

Kenya Power owns and operates most of the electricity transmission and distribution system in Kenya and sells electricity to over 2.6 million customers.

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Newly constructed USD26m power project in Kenya to be commissioned

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enya is planning to launch a US$ 26m power project which is stated to be complete in the next 15 months.

The power project in Kenya,which is part of the was part of the Son-

and said that the Homa Bay power sub-station will be completed in 15 months and is stated to improve the quality and reliability of electricity in the region.

“The Homa Bay power sub-station will serve the South Nyanza region

The mega development project is being undertaken by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) through a Belgiam contractor. du–Homa Bay–Awendo project will involve the construction of a 106km 132kV single circuit line from Sondu through Ndhiwa to Awendo and will serve the South Nyanza region and will be located in the Homa Bay. Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter and Governor Cyprian Awiti both confirmed the news

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and will be located in the Homa Bay and will be completed in 15 months time,” said Mr. Awiti.

This initiative is as a result of the Government’s vision and commitment to increase electricity accessibility in rural areas by 40 per cent by 2030.

Power disruptions in

Southern Nyanza have for a long time suppressed the region’s economic growth since independence but once the project is complete there will be no more power outages in Nyanza.

The mega development project is being undertaken by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) through a Belgium contractor. It has a rating of 72MW and two 132/33kV sub-stations at Sondu and Ndhiwa and an extension of 132kV at Awendo sub-station in Migori.

KETRACO’s mandate is to design, construct, maintain and operate new high voltage electricity transmission infrastructure that will form the backbone of the National Transmission Grid. Its core business is to plan, design, build and maintain electricity transmission lines and associated substations. The voltage rating of the transmission lines include 132kV, 220kV, 400kV and 500kV (HVDC).

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

Plans to construct 700MW gas power plant in Kenya cancelled

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he plan to construct a mega 700 MW Dongo Kundu natural gas power plant in Kenya has been cancelled mainly due to fear of excess supply that might lead to high electricity bills for homes and businesses. The project was set to be located in Mombasa.

The project which was part of the Kenyan government’s mission to diversify sources of electricity to meet rising demand so as to hasten economic growth was meant to add onto the existing 2,294MW and total it up to 5,000MW of power.

The Energy Principal Secretary in charge of electricity, Mr. Joseph Njoroge confirmed the reports and said that the plans to construct the power plant have been cancelled since it could leave Kenya with excess power hence forcing consumers to pay an added amount for capacity charges on idle plants and reversing the pursue to deliver cheaper electricity. At the moment, peak demand for electricity is approximately 1,600MW leaving the country with almost 700MW excess power.

“We are not doing Dongo Kundu power plant that was scheduled to be developed in Mombasa, we have suspended it, if we put in excess power which will eventually not be consumed, then power will be expensive because there is a fixed cost which must be paid to the power plant,” said Mr. Njoroge Economists in the country have seconded with cancellation approach saying it will spare

the economy some unnecessary costs that will ultimately be a burden which will turn into billions of shillings annually.

Kenya as a country hopes to lower the cost of electricity by increasing the supply from a

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

cheaper energy source, phasing out the generation of diesel.

The country has already put in nearly 300MW of cheaper geothermal power to the grid hence cutting electricity costs by nearly 30 per cent.

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Two Rivers Mall in Kenya to open in June this year

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wo Rivers Mall in Kenya which will be the largest mall in East Africa is set to open in June; this is according to AVIC International who is the developer of the project.

Centum Chief Executive Officer, Mr. James Mworia confirmed the reports and said that his organization has partnered with the Chinese firm, AVIC International to develop and construct the Two Rivers Mall project which is a mixed-use multimillion

“The new mall will change the landscape of the real estate sector in Kenya and will be the biggest mall in East Africa, we decided to choose on AVIC International because they have the technical capacity to construct large scale projects,”

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development project that is constructed on 100 acres of land in Runda/Ruaka, Nairobi.

“The new mall will change the landscape of the real estate sector in Kenya and will be the biggest mall in East Africa, we decided to choose on AVIC International because they have the technical capacity to construct large scale projects,” Mr. Mworia said.

“We have even visited their country China so as to see what projects they have worked on and we were persuaded that they were the best contractors for the project,” the CEO said.

Phase one of the real estate project cost US$250m and consists of a 670,000 square feet shopping mall and two office towers totaling to 200,000

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

square feet of office space as well as a 1,500 parking bay.

The opening of the Two Rivers shopping complex in June will mark the beginning of a new kind of shopping and lifestyle experience for the city dwellers of Nairobi. The mixed development building will house at least 200 stores consisting of the best

mix of international and local tenants and brands in consumer goods, fashion, food, luxury goods and fine dining.

Some of the fashion tenants and brands that have already booked to open outlets at the mall include Giovanni Galli, Little Red, Eugene Klein, Bianco Nero, Bush Princess, Curvy Cou-

ture and Francolini Exclusives.

AVIC International has set up subsidiaries in major cities across China and established over 160 branches in more than 60 countries and regions, and owns eight listed companies.

The company has over 100,000 employees serving customers in more than 180 countries.

ERC pushes removal of costly Aggreko power from national grid to June

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he Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has pushed to June unplugging from the national grid Aggreko’s expensive diesel-generated power following delays in setting up a replacement thermal plant.

This is after the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (Ken-

Gen) missed the March deadline to move a 30-megawatt (MW) gas turbine to Muhoroni that was meant to displace Aggreko’s emergency power plant.

KenGen blamed the delay on logistics hitches and heavy rains.

ERC director-general Joe Ng’ang’a said the contract will be terminated next month.

Aggreko’s 30MW generator is located in Muhoroni, Kisumu.

“It will be out of the system in a fortnight. We’re all feeling the embarrassment of having

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

temporary power,” Mr Ng’ang’a said Thursday.

Emergency power is priced as high as ¢50 per kilowatt-hour, which is more than double the cost of diesel-fired electricity set at ¢20 per kWh. Hydropower, though susceptible to the vagaries of weather, is the cheapest at ¢3 per kWh followed by Mumias co-generation (¢6 per unit), geothermal (¢7 per kWh), Biojoule’s biogas (¢10 per unit), and Strathmore University’s solar power priced

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NEWS at ¢12 per unit.

KenGen, which has spent $4.3 million to move and install the 30MW thermal generator at Muhoroni, said there were delays in procuring testing equipment.

“By the end of the month I expect the unit will be generating subject to successful testing,” said KenGen managing director Albert Mugo in an interview.

Switching off the Muhoroni Aggreko emergency power plant means the British company will only be left with the 3.4 MW Garissa temporary generator.

“Unfortunately we do not comment or supply information regarding specific customer

PARTNERSHIP situations,” Aggreko said in an earlier interview.

Mr Mugo also disclosed that KenGen had stopped running its 2.8 MW thermal plant in Lamu, after the coastal county was finally connected to the national grid early this year.

The imminent shutdown of Aggreko’s main plant, the closure of the Lamu generator, is likely to have an impact on power bills given all households and manufacturers share the burden of emergency power and diesel costs through the fuel cost charge.

Low voltages Kenyans consumed 3.17 million kWh of emergency power

in February, down from 4.10 million units in January, according to official data.

The ERC reckons that Kenya no longer needs the expensive Aggreko power following injection of cheaper 280MW of steam power from Olkaria.

However, Western Kenya has been relying on Aggreko because the area suffers low voltages and is yet to be connected to the cheaper steam power from Olkaria.

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company has delayed construction of the Olkaria - Lessos - Kisumu high-voltage line to connect to geothermal power.

China partners with Tanzania to construct 2,561 km railway line

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hina has agreed to partner with Tanzania in the construction of a 2,561 km railway line at standard gauge level whose tenders are expected to be floated soon.

The announcement was confirmed by the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Lu Youqing, at the State House in Dar es Salaam when he met and held talks with Tanzanian President John Magufuli.

A statement issued by the State House noted that Ambassador Lu also gave President Magufuli a letter with a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

President Magufuli said that Tanzania was committed to immediately be part of the construction of the railway line

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East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

and that it had already set aside some funds in 2016/17 budget for the first phase of the mega development.

“We hope that this project will revolutionize our economy and other countries in Eastern and Central Africa including Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). That’s why we don’t want to waste time in prolonged talks, we want the works to start and people to start benefitting,” Dr. Magufuli said.

The project which is projected to cost a whopping US$ 6.8bn will be implemented in phases, the first phase will constitute of construction of the railway line from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza via Isaka and Tabora.

Ambassador Lu further congratulated President Magufuli and his government for prepa-

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

rations which range from finance to equipment and human resources in implementing the mega project. He also said that the Chinese government, its financial organizations and other companies will give their total support towards the implementation of the project.

President Magufuli The Tanzanian president has also said that he has deployed the Works, Transport and Communication Minister, Prof Mbarawa to China so that he can complete discussions on the implementation of various projects, including the Central Line (at standard gauge).

The next move will be the announcement of transparent and competitive tenders for the project so as to get competent companies for the job.

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PROFILE

PROFILE

At 38 years K & M ARCHPLANS: is one of the most decorated architectural practices in East Africa

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he Tanzania Parliament, the Ultra ModernMwanza Shopping Mall, the highriseTanzania Ports Authority Headquarters in Dar es Salaam - these are some of the projects conceived in the mind of K & M Archplans, designed, supervised and delivered. The structures are huge, complex and mostly iconic.

But it is the Tanzania National Assembly building holds the most significance for Arch.

James Kimathi, Managing Director and founding partner at K & M Archplans, one of the pre eminent architectural firms in East Africa today.

The Tanzania Parliament building was necessitated by the country’s decision to increase the number of representatives in the house, which called for a more space. K & M Archplans won the tender and embarked on an undertaking that was to mark the turning point for the fledging architectural outfit.

Designing the Tanzania National Assembly remains the most important milestone in the History of K&M Archplans

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According to Arch. Kimathi, this was the point in time that his team had finally been given an opportunity to prove their professional acumen.

“It was no easy task managing and coordinating the large team of professionals, consultants and contractors involved in the successful delivery of the project, but we successfully delivered it, marking perhaps the biggest milestone in the history of our company,” says Arch Kimathi, also an accomplished team leader and project coordinator.

The design heavily borrows from Tanzanian culture, and incorporates Zanzibari Architecture, with both the exterior and interior ambience exhibiting African theme. The firm’s philosophy is always to understand the client’s need, to design the best possible solutions within the resources available and to supervise contractors during construction.

This was clearly at play in the construction of the Tanzanian Parliament

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

K&M Archplans undertook the refurblishment of the Kenyan Parliament sity of Nairobi, and a certificate building.The outcome had to sultancy services in the United in Environmental Impact Assessrepresent the indigenous TanzaRepublic of Tanzania and estabment (EIA)/Environmental Audit nian culture, given its purpose lished an office in Dar es Safrom Africa Nazarene University. to house parliamentary business. laam in the capital city.

He has over thirty (37) years Also, K&M Archplans interior Originally, the staunch Chrisexperience in the practice of design skills came into play, tian was destined for the medArchitecture, project managewith the company required to ical profession, having trained ment, planning and landscape implement appropriate interior for the same at a local college.

Architecture and has acquired décor and acoustics to facilitate He later changed his mind and enormous ability of Planning and debate. trained as an architect, endurmanagement techniques over With the company’s emphasis ing a period of uncertainty and this period. He has undertaken on studying the African Social anxiety when the jobs were not projects in a broad spectrum of Composition and way of life, it coming in, before he got his was possible to incorporate the break. He has a masters’ degree building types in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Botswana required traditional Tanzanian in Architecture from the UniverAfrican features and the outcome was an outstanding complex that enabled K & M Archplans write a piece Consulting Electrical & Mechanical Engineers of history in the country’s built environment.

K&M Archplans Ltd has continued to concentrate on striving to improve and expand its consultancy services in various fields of Architecture, including interior designing, Town planning, Technical advisor LAIKIPIA COUNTY ASSEMBLY VIEW MERU UNIVERSITY HOSTEL VIEW and construction management.

We are proud to be associated with K & M Archplans Architects Projects The firm was founded P.O. Box 20198 - 00200 City Square, Hurlingham, Jabavu Road, P.C.E.A Jitegemee Flats Block G in Nairobi, Kenya, but has Tel: 2721492/21, Mobile: 0722357061, Email: info@mecoy.com since widened its conMay/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

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PROFILE

The utramodern Mwanza Market in Tanzania Designed by K and M Archplans.

Chamber 1st prize in Kilimanjaro Towers a twin tower complex to be erected at Upper Hill, Nairobi 1st prize for the Ultra modern shopping mall in Mwanza (Tanzania) 1st prize for a 35 storey office complex in Dar es Salaam.

Design Competition, 1st Premium Award for Bomas of Kenya, the Design Award for East African Community Headquarters and 2nd Prize for Pan African Postal Union House Competition, both in Arusha, Tanzania.

The company has come a long way since inception in 1978, in Nairobi, Kenya, and registration as a limited company in 1996 under the name K&M ArchPROFILE COnst ingconsult / XENOCON plans Ltd. Quantity Surveyors & Construction Management Consultants Arch. Kimathi Quantity Surveyors & Construction Management Consultants also states that at this point in time, emphasis has been placed on training the young professionals in the firm to carry on and achieve greater heights at the helm of the company CANAAN FLATS OR THE BSK LAIKIPIA COUNTY ASSEMBLEY VIEW whose stellar reputation has been so We are proud to be associated with K & M Archplans Architects Projects painstakingly built.

Lenana/Wood Avenue Junction, 51 Lenana Road, Office Suite B3 / P.O. Box 51509-00200, Nairobi

Arch. Kimathi is straight talking professional who will give the client an honest account of the project. He has ability to listen, Communicate, Contribute and ultimately make decisive and tactical decisions.

He reveals that sheer grit, determination, persistence and hard work backed by strong values have seen him get where he is today, and inculcating the same in his team, with whom he maintains an open-door management strategy has enabled K&M Archplans inspire trust and respect from the whole industry fraternity.

He avers that values are the most important element of his

operation that has seen him scale the heights of the architectural profession.“Over and above winning big projects, the values of integrity and honesty as well s professionalism are the most important thing that has won us the confidence of clients in the industry, without which I wouldn’t be where I am now,” says Arch. Kimathi.

His work has seen him earn the respect and admiration of peers in the profession and he has gained various accolades.

Notably, he has won various awards that include; 1st Prize in Tanzania Bunge Design Competition 1st Prize Kenya Debating

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Delta Ayeman

D A Contractors Limited Dealers in: Construction, Supply of Building Materials and Other civil related Works Director: Emmanuel Nyumba Mayau

Consulting Engineers

Constingconsult Ltd

Te: +254 (0)20 386 0640 / Wireless: +254 20 265 0954 / Cell: +254 728 891 924 Email: consult@costingconsult.co.ke

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East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

Xenocon

We are proud to be C with associated K & M Archplans Projects A D Architects Delta Ayeman Contractors Limited P.O. Box 109 - 60125 Kubu-Kubu.

Tel: 0721 461 666 / 0722 550839 Email: deltaayeman.contractors@yahoo.com May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

We are proud to be associated with K & M Archplans Architects Projects P.O. Box 59385 - 00200 Nairobi Mobile: 0723 580 925 / 0733 745 762 E-mail: info@xenoconce.co.ke

25

SAFETY

Construction is high Hazard territory: You must have a SHE

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Indawo’s MD Geoffrey Jäck

onstruction, along with mining, is one the most dangerous land-based occupations, exposing thousands of workers to risks daily. These risks are ubiquitous and highlight a plethora of hazardous materials and perilous situations. Working at heights, with heavy machinery, dangerous substances such as asbestos and sometimes explosives, this is an industry that has to have its wits about it. According to painting, waterproofing and construction company, Indawo, it is imperative that contractors pay attention to site safety and adhere to Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) files.

Indawo managing director, Geoffrey Jäcksays that failure to have a SHE file on site is against the law and exposes the contractor and the client to risks that have the potential of closing both businesses. Contractors and clients must be fully aware of these risks to workers. On top of the safety risks on site, contractors and clients need to understand all regulationsprescribed by the Department of Labour, the Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC) and the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act,all of which provide for workers’ rights.

Construction workers engage in a number of activities, which expose them to hazards. These include falling from ladders or rooftops, exposureto electrical

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wires, machinery and equipment, tools, materials and dangerous substances.

Jäck stresses that workers must operate tools and machinery correctly and apply products according to manufacturers’ directions and specifications. Safety on site is critical. The onus is on the contractor to provide site staff training on Health and Safety aspects and how to manage risks on sites. This is where a SHE file is the most important document on any site.

SHE files contain accurate records of happenings on the site and record visits. Most importantly, SHE files document all information regarding site safety.

According to Jäck, leading hazards on sites are workers

falling from heights, being struck by falling tools, materials and objects and electrical accidents.

On top of this, there are a number of health related risks arising from the use of paint solvents over lengthy periods, dust and noise and, especially, asbestos fibres. It can be argued that in most instances, if instructions and precautions in the SHE file were adhered to, no accidents should occur on any site.

Safety in construction in South Africa has been under the spotlight for a number of years now and the Department of Labour, supported by organisations like the BIBC, with their focus on the overall well being of site staff, has taken huge strides in ensuring that sites are made safe.

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

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TRANSPORT

TRANSPORT

Tanzania constructs best cargo terminal in Africa

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anzania is constructing what would be, upon completion the best cargo terminal in Africa.

The state-of-the-art import cargo facility is set to be completed at the end of May this year, Swissport Tanzania which is the country’s leading aviation service provider has said.

Swissport Tanzania Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gaudence Temu confirmed the reports and said that the new terminal which has a capacity of handling 80,000 tonnes, is the first of its kind in Africa that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) for easing cargo identification.

RFID cuts down tracking process and time from the previous 30 minutes to merely ten minutes now.

“This is the first facility in Africa that uses state-of-art gadgets to ease cargo identification, we have invested for the future and almost double the capacity,” said Mr Temu.

He further pointed out that the US$ 13m facility will have the ability of handling 30 tonnes at a go but at the moment the biggest airline that land at the Julius Nyerere International Airport delivers only 15 tonnes.

It also has special cargo areas for animal and dangerous goods like radioactive material, a morgue, pharmaceutical and two cold storage facilities of between -20 and 8 degree Celsius and one strong room.

The import cargo facility will also be able to automatically sort small parcels that are less

than 50 kilogrammes and put them into special racks that will eventually make handling and delivery easier and faster.

The new terminal has more space and people do not need to queue when processing their documents, it is also a multipurpose building constituting of a bank, business facilities, TRA offices, Swissport head office, training centre, a gym, clearing and forwarding agent offices and airline cargo offices.

Swissport Tanzania is a listed company with a track record of over 30 years and it is the country’s leading aviation service provider operating at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), Songwe Airport and Mtwara Airports.

Tanzanian government Keen on roads construction

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he Tanzanian government will start contracting and improving road infrastructure to make sure they are in a better shape at

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all time, the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication has announced.

These were the remarks were made by the Deputy Minister of

Works, Transport and Communication, Eng Edwin Ngonyani, yesterday when he responded to questions from lawmakers.

Dr Raphael Chegeni, member

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

for Busega sought to know how much money the government has set aside for road construction in Busega district.

In response, Eng Ngonyani said that in the 5th phase the government has planned to lay tarmac and improve all roads network in the country. He instructed the Tanzania Roads Agency (Tanroads) and the Road Board to make sure they give much priority to areas with when urgent need for roads when Identifying roads to be upgraded saying the government’s ob-

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jective is to improve all roads across the country.

“It is the responsibility of the Roads board and Tanroads to ensure they prioritize areas with the most urgent needs, because the 5th phase government’s objective is to improve all road networks in the country,” he explained.

He admitted that in the financial year 2014/15, money from the road fund were not enough due to slim revenue collection from the various sources of the fund.

He however told the legislators that in this financial year the situation has been rectified and

by March this year; US$211.5 million out of US$396 million had been received by the board of directors of the road fund and transmitted to the Tanzania Roads Agency. He added that they are optimistic the remaining

money will be released to construct and rehabilitate the roads in the 2015/2016 budget.

“We expect by June this year, all the remaining fund would have been released for the purpose of rehabilitating and constructing of roads in the 2015/16 budget,” he noted. Eng Ngonyani noted that in the financial year 2015/16 Busega district was allocated US$261000 and by March a total of US$198000had been released which is 75.9 per cent.

Rural electrification in Tanzania gets US$ 680m boost

ural electrification in Tanzania has received a major financial boost that will see nearly 6,000 villages in rural areas fully connected with electricity.

The phase III project kicks off after the completion of Phase II in June this year.

Deputy Minister of Energy and Minerals Dr. Medard Kalemani confirmed the reports while giving brief details on the implementation of the Rural Energy Agency (REA) budget for the 2015/2016 financial year. He said that nearly 6,000 villages in the rural areas will be fully connected to electricity service in for the third phase of the project which is being undertaken by Rural Energy Agency (REA).

“REA expects to implement phase III of the project in three consecutive years where we expect to spend US$ 680m and

this will be the last phase of the project,” Dr. Kalemani said.

In his comments REA Director General, Dr. Lutengano Mwakahesya further expounded and said that the project is majorly focused in transmitting electricity at the Headquarters of 13 districts namely Buhigwe, Busega, Chemba, Kakonko and, Itilima.

Others are Kalambo, Kyerwa, Mkalama, Mlele, Momba, Nanyumbu, Nyasa and Uvinza and up to now only Momba district is not connected to the service.

He added that the government’s mission is to connect all villages in the country by the year 2021 with electricity as it planned to connect 2,000 villages per year to roughly 15,000 villages existing in service, until now only 5,200 villages are beneficiaries

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

of the project.

This initiative barely comes after the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) announced that it will not release the US$470m funds to Tanzania for the electricity projects. According to a statement the Corporation’s Board decided to stop all activities that are related to the development of a Second Compact with Tanzania.

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ACHIEVEMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE

RYCE EAST AFRICA

SCOOPS THE PLATINUM AWARD

Uganda gets U.S.$48m to construct inland port on Lake Victoria shores

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Ryce Engineering Team with the prestigious Platinum Award Led by the Managing director Mr. V.N . Srinivas and the Ryce Engineering General Manager Mr. V.Balakrishnan

yce Engineering (A division of Ryce East Africa Ltd) is the proud recipient of the prestigious Platinum Award presented by SDMO industries, based in Brest France.

Ryce East Africa Ltd has been distributing SDMO power generators since 1995.REAL’s task is to Supply, installs and commissions SDMO Power Generator Sets from 3 KVA to 3000 KVA and is the one stop shop for total engineered solutions that include Supply, design, project management, installation, commissioning and full after sales service and spares support.

The Platinum award is in recognition and appreciation of Ryce engineering distinguished performance in terms of “Power Solutions provider” in areas that include Generator Sales achievement, stock maintained, service competence, after sales service and spares support, customer satisfaction and our commitment to excellence.

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East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

wo German banks have offered Uganda $48 million to construct an inland port on Lake Victoria shores at Bukasa, in a move that is geared towards widening the database of non-concessional lenders.

For the last eight years, Uganda has heavily invested in infrastructure and the increasing cost and volume of projects has forced the country to look beyond concessional lenders like African Development Bank, the World Bank and Western governments to China, which had become a popular option.

However reports of China’s reluctance appear to have pushed Uganda towards looking at other institutions that can offer funding for her infrastructure.

These include banks in German which are now showing willingness in lending more to Uganda.

In a statement issued during the signing ceremony of the Bukasa port loan agreement, senior vice president for European Export and Trade Bank (AKA Bank), Doris Icke, said the new deal offered an opportunity for Uganda to access financial assistance for other projects in future. Commerzbank AG and AKA Bank are the two German banks that have offered Uganda the money for the construction of Bukasa port.

The loan has a 15 years repayment period, attracting an interest rate of the Eurobond average rate plus 1.8 per cent.

Currently, this translates to an interest rate of 2 per cent annually. Uganda will offer $8.5 million in counterpart funding to sum up a total project cost of $56.4 million.

“The project, which is part of the Central Corridor Development Programme aims to secure an alternative way of providing efficient transport systems between Uganda and the world markets,” said Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, during the signing ceremony of the loan agreement.

But Dr Fred Muhumuza, former advisor to the Ministry of Finance and a renowned economist said Bukasa does not make economic viability as it is said to be shallow, and will call for a lot of dredging, before it can be utilized by big modern ships.

This will in turn raise the construc-

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

tion cost, yet it is not a strategic port owing to the fact that Uganda exports and imports less through Dar es Salaam as about 80 per cent of Uganda’s international trade goes through the port of Mombasa.

Uganda has borrowed at least $3.3 billion in non-concessional financing from China Exim bank towards infrastructure project but experts including some of the lenders suggest that Uganda needs to go slow on debt acquisition.

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CONSTRUCTION

The 3 Key stakes about concrete in Africa

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umper growth is unquestionably underway in Africa’s cement and concrete and construction industries.

In 2014, Africa construction sector attained a growth of 46.2%, with a total of 322 different collected projects in all sectors of construction, representing a total value of US$ 222,677 million. Knowing more about concrete in Africa can go along way to helping the construction industry grow more.

Consider waterproof concrete!

Does your project require you to undertake major construction works, such as underground basements, parking lots, or shopping centers? Are you concerned with the impermeability of your structure? In other words, do you need concrete water tightness?

Despite the apparent density of concrete, it can be described as a porous material that allows the passage of water through a structure of capillary pores.

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These capillaries are the voids created by the water in the concrete that is necessary to start the chemical reaction for hardening known as hydration.

To cope with such a challenge, it is highly recommended to implement a technology that reduces the water cement ratio (capillarity) whilst producing a highly workable concrete to aid placing and compaction. Indeed, concrete the lowering of the water cement ratio reduces the volume, size and continuity of the capillary structure.

The water impermeability of a construction is determined by fulfillment of the decisive requirements regarding limitation of water permeability through the concrete: Water penetration depth, Water conductivity, Water absorption, Self-healing properties of a concrete.

Careful selection of key technologies and products is vital to meet the demands expected of a watertight structure. The provision of the most advanced

technologies from a comprehensive range of products involved in the composition of the concrete structure will ensure that all system components are compatible.

ARE YOU BUILDING HIGH-PERFORMANCE STRUCTURES?

Choose high strength concrete!

Does your project require you to undertake audacious, high-performance civil engineering works, such as bridges, roads?

Are you concerned with the high performance and durability of your structure? In other words, do you need high strength concrete?

High-strength and ultra high performance concretes are not just cutting-edge technologies for scientific research, but also continue to find new applications in practice. Whether in dealing with the slenderness of building components (e.g. design) or dimensional instability under extreme conditions

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

(e.g. earthquake stresses), high and highest material properties (compressive and flexural strength, elasticity and ductility) are finding entry in concrete technology. Durability and high strength of concrete are thereby interdependent.

The durability of the concrete in Africa is a particularly important topic when designing a concrete structure.

Such high durability concrete is typically used for the following types of applications and structures: • Dams and watertight structures • Sewage treatment plants and chemical plants • Concrete structures in extreme (low or high) temperature conditions • Bridges, galleries and tunnels, etc.

• Hydraulic structures and industrial flooring to withstand abrasion or heavy traffic Improved durability will result in: • Prolonged service life of concrete structures and elements • Lower costs for maintenance and refurbishment works • Less repair work, minimizing traffic disturbances • Improved appearance of the concrete surfaces • More satisfied customers

DO YOU NEED FASTBUILT AND AESTHETIC STRUCTURES?

Adopt precast concrete!

Does your project require you to build precast structures (beams, poles) or aesthetic building fronts? Are you concerned with the fast-building or the esthetics of your structure? In other

words, do you need concrete precast concrete?

Precast concrete is used to build structures that are delivered after hardening. Concrete used for the production of precast structures requires an industrialized production process, and a good concrete mix design in order to best serve its specific requirements, such as fast placing and compaction, fast turnaround of moulds and fine surface finishes. The use of precast concrete technologies will help reduce your cost and improve your production process.

Despite the apparent density of concrete, it can be described as a porous material that allows the passage of water through a structure of capillary pores.

One common example of typical use of precast concrete is tunnel segment production, Modern tunneling methods in weak rock conditions demand concrete segments which are immediately load bearing as linings to the fully excavated tunnel section.

Precast concrete units called tunnel segments perform this function. It combines the challenge of realization of a specified high early strength and fulfillment of highest requirements regarding durability. Strength development is usually secured by utilization of heat or steam curing which can be contradic-

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

tory to durability if the concrete core temperature is too high.

CHOOSE GREATER QUALITY FOR YOUR CONCRETE, FOR AFRICA

Designing an entire watertight building from the basement to the roof requires the development of solutions for the widest range of applications, solutions which can be installed practically and provide permanent protection. For a complete structure this means the sealing of surfaces such as roofs, underground walls or foundation plates. It also means assuring the water tightness of construction joints and of movement joints. Furthermore, Specialty in chemicals is our business and trust is the foundation of our success.

We strive to invest locally in people and techniques, to optimize specific knowledge of local market and specific solutions to local challenges. Waterproofing solutions in visible areas must meet high aesthetical requirements.

Alongside water, building structures are exposed to abroad range of forces and strains, starting with mechanical stresses resulting from the type of construction and extending to various external attacks.

Extreme hot or cold temperature conditions, aggressive water or other chemicals, continually rolling, abrading or pulsating strains on surfaces, or in extreme cases the impact of fire, places enormous stresses on structures as a whole and on building materials.

To tackle such trials, it is highly recommended to determine the fundamental needs of your structure, among which the main ones are waterproofing and/ or high strength and/or precast production.

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CONSTRUCTION

CONSTRUCTION

5 Safety Measures Every Construction

Worker Must Take

All workers should know the escape or exit route if a fire occurs. Knowing where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them may prove to be very advantageous in many situations and is therefore highly recommended.

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egarded as one of the most dangerous occupations, construction work can be considered anything but fully safe. Heights, large and mobile equipment, edges, deep holes, and wobbling stairs are a reality in many construction sites, no matter how modern or careful the contractors claim them to be. Obviously, the employers do need to take care of the safety and security of the workers, but the workers need to keep in mind a lot of precautions themselves when working in such hazardous conditions.

Here we look at five safety measures every construction worker must take.

Double-Check Your Work Areas Scaffolds are an integral part of most construction sites and are associated with a high number of inju-

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ries. So when you are going to be working on them, you must ensure your safety first. Check with your supervisor or find out yourself whether the scaffold has been inspected by a professional or a competent person. Never work on an incomplete scaffold which does not have a strong platform or base.

Ladders are other essential construction site tools with a high potential for danger. Check the ladder thoroughly before using it. If you find any part of the ladder wobbly, do not us it.

A ladder should be of proper strength and of a height that always keeps it at least one meter above the landing. All of the steps or slabs of the ladder must be secured properly. The upper and lower end of the ladder should preferably be fastened or secured properly. If not, ensure there is someone manually keeping it secure in order to prevent a fall from height.

Be Vigilant with Electricity and Equipment

Construction sites require a lot of electrical installations. Lifting equipment mostly involves electricity and weights. When working with such equipment, you need to be extra cautious to see

there is no wear and tear in the machine and also to follow the safety precautions listed for the equipment. If you do not know them, seek help and instructions from a site supervisor or co-worker who has worked with the equipment before.

If you are using pluggedin portable devices, such as grinders or drills, you should always check that the cables are protected, the metal casing is grounded, and the power supply is provided with an earth leakage circuit breaker. Never allow the electrical tools to come in contact with water.

Never stand or work immediately below a heavy suspended load. And always check that you are not exceeding the permissible levels of load.

You’ll need proper training before operating some equipment, including a material hoist and a crane. Ensure the hoist is operated only after the gates are locked properly. Know the working load limits of a hoist and never exceed those limits. Most importantly, when using material hoists, make sure the communication between you and the operator are clearly understood.

Any error here can cause a major accident on the site.

Maintain Fencing and Prevent Fires

Notice the number of fatal injuries and falls that happen in areas where there is no fencing.

Dangerous areas that you see without fencing or with broken and damaged fencing should be

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

avoided until they are completely repaired or a proper fencing is in place. If this is not happening in time, inform your site supervisor immediately.

With the machinery that is present, along with combustible chemicals and welding operations, there is always a possibility of fire on a construction site.

Be alert and take some measures to prevent them. Open flames should be kept away from construction sites because of the presence of flammable materials (especially on oil rig sites).

All workers should know the escape or exit route if a fire occurs. Knowing where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them may prove to be very advantageous in many situations and is therefore highly recommended. Employers should train workers to use this emergency equipment.

Protective Apparel and PPE Employers are supposed to provide their workers with proper protective gear and clothing.

If you as a worker do not have

them, demand them from your employer and wear them correctly. Well-fitted helmets and protective eyewear are a must.

Ear plugs or muffs for working in noisy areas and protective gloves when dealing with toxic chemicals should be worn.

Anti-slip footwear and protective apparel are necessary for those working in toxic or dusty environments. Make sure you wear them. Fall harnesses are very important for every construction worker. Ensure your harness is sturdy and secured to a strong anchorage point when you are working at heights.

At sites where there is a lot of movement of heavy vehicles, workers should wear highly visible clothing so that they can be located and seen easily. Because construction workers have to be working outdoors regardless of weather conditions, they also should have some climate protective gear and clothing.

Keep First Aid Close

While it may not be possible

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

for workers to carry first aid supplies with them all the time, both the site supervisor and contractor should ensure that first aid is always accessible to the workers. If as a worker you find that first aid you will need is not around, inform your supervisor immediately.

Basic first aid for minor burns, cuts, and falls should be available on site so that the required medical assistance can be provided to the workers immediately. This is beneficial to the employer, as well, because this ensures that after resting for some time, the worker can return to his work as soon as possible. Some injuries when treated immediately helps in limiting the damage immensely and prevents infections from spreading.

Final Thoughts

A construction worker needs to

be careful at all times. Areas that are not properly lit must be avoided until proper lighting is provided. You should also avoid playing with work equipment.

Always follow instructions during an emergency; if you notice any unsafe condition, such as a floor opening that is uncovered or not fenced, inform your co-workers and supervisor immediately.

Construction workers play one of the most important roles in our modern society. It’s their job to provide safe buildings, bridges, and many other assets for society; the workers owe it to themselves and their employers to work safely.

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CONSTRUCTION

CONSTRUCTION

Advanced Concrete Technology:

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strength during 1224 hours.

Aerated and Foamed concrete – What to produce tarting any production you will take into consider-

ation: • demand for products • cost of equipment • technological complexity and cost of raw materials

Demand for foamed concrete and aerated concrete

Both materials have high flowability, low self-weight, minimum consumption of aggregate, controlled low strength, and excellent thermal insulation properties. So there is no any significant difference for customer between aerated and foamed concrete blocks.

Cost of equipment

Let us take a closer look at the equipment which is used for production of foamed and aerated concrete blocks.

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Mixer:

Mixer designed for foamed concrete production is technically more complicated. Mixing process is going under the pressure by means of foam generators or in the open mixer by means of gerotor type pump. It is vital to maintain the same pressure level but that leads to excessive wear of fillers, gland seal etc. The gerotor type pump is more expensive and technically complicated. On the bright side is slow speed of mixing process and lesser load for bearing unit, you also are able to pour the mixture into the moulds by hoses from distance.

Mixers designed for aerated concrete have simpler construction and easier to use as they mix liquid mixture. All that you need is just to provide mixer with small vanes and high speed for proper mixing process. There is no pressure and special drain devices – mixture is discharged by gravity.

There is disadvantage though – you have to arrange movement of moulds or mixer as there is no way to pour the mixture into the moulds from distance

Molds;

The main requirements for molds are size accuracy, quality locks, which prevent leaks, and smooth surface. The moulds are made

of thin walled sheet metal with frame made of shaped tubes.

These moulds are light, easy to use, move and its production doesn’t require a lot of investments.

Battery molds are popular among foamed concrete producers. These molds are constructed by workers before pouring process and that takes a lot of time. Strict requirements are applied for materials used for production of these molds as they directly influence geometry of blocks and the speed of its construction. That is why molds are made of thick – walled metal which makes it heavier and more expensive. More over at first these molds promote excellent geometry of blocks but later deformations are unpreventable.

Dosing system:

There are various kinds of dosing systems for aerated concrete as well as for foamed concrete. They have similar characteristics so there is no significant difference.

Cutting device:

Using battery molds for foamed concrete you won’t need to cut the array. But some producers use cutting technology for foamed concrete as well as for aerated concrete.

Foamed concrete need more time to develop enough strength before unmolding, it takes from 8 to 20 hours depending on usage of heating devices. As for aerated concrete – it can be cut just in 1.5 – 3 hours after pouring:

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

The main technological difficulties:

There is another difference in cutting technology: aerated concrete is cut buy string saws manually or by automated cutting machine. To cut foamed concrete one need to use circular or belt saws. Surely string cutting device costs less than set of saws, besides saws have accelerated wear.

Technological complexity and cost of raw materials: Surely the main difference between foamed concrete and aerated concrete is production technology.

Foamed concrete is produced by mixing sand, cement, water and foaming agent. Foame is supplied by foaming machine directly into mixer with targeted frequency and weight. During the mixing process particles of cement and sand envelop foam bubbles. The mixture is poured into assembled and lubricated mold. The array gain stripping

Maintaining of the same quality of foam requires your continued attention.

Unstable foam causes unstable density of product. But the main difficulty is slow development of strength.

Production of foamed concrete requires usage of cold water as hot water destructs foam. But cold water doesn’t promote development of strength moreover foaming agent itself slows down cement setting. So that development of stripping strength will take 24 hours, further development of strength is also going on very slow. These factors directly influence consumption of cement.

Aerated concrete:

The main components for aerated concrete production are also sand, cement, water. These components are mixed and last minute blowing agent – aluminum powder is added. The mixture is poured into mold and reaction starts. Air bubbles are created as a result of chemical reaction and they blow up the aerated concrete mixture. In 2030 minutes reaction stops and the array starts to develop stripping strength. Hot water is used for production, its temperature is about 40-60 C. Heat is also generated during reaction so that the temperature of the array is about 50-60 C. That enables rapid

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

development of strength. In 2-3 hours the array should be cut per blocks.

The main technological difficulties: The main difficulty is development of proper technological procedure and composition depending on your raw materials.

There is no any unique composition for aerated concrete.

The factors which influence the process are water, its quantity, alkalinity, quantity of Aluminum powder. As a rule suppliers of equipment provide full training services and technological regulations for each client individually. ravi@karibuhomes.com

Summary

There is no difference for your customers whether it is foamed block or aerated concrete block, they will compare quality and price. As the quality is the same they will pick the cheaper one.

Producers shall keep in mind that equipment for foamed concrete is technically more complicated, battery molds are more expensive and because of slow circulation you will need bigger quantities. SO that aerated concrete production equipment will cost less because of less consumption of metal. Moreover aerated concrete equipment is cross functional – you can produce blocks of any sizes! You also will need less quantities of cement (20% of savings) so that prime cost of aerated concrete blocks is much more less that is why the product is more competitive! And competitiveness of the product is half the battle for any producer of construction material.

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PROFILE

PROFILE

From hangars to Housing projects:

PSRM Consultants’ multidisciplinary experience inspires confidence

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here is no substitute for a competent project manager equipped with the correct tools and resources to meet established schedules, budgets, and project objectives.

PSRM Consultants understands that professional project management is a crucial strategic element to the success of clients’ projects.

From inception over 20 years ago, PSRM Consultants has garnered a wealth of experience, and recognition, inspiring the confidence of clients who have trusted the company with significant undertakings in the construction industry, and is currently one of the most respected consultancies in the business.

PSRM now handles projects

through an array of services applied to construction projects and programs – from the planning and design through the construction and post-construction phases – for the purpose of achieving project objectives, including the management of quality, cost, time, and scope.

“As a single point of contact or as part of an integrated management team with the customer, we apply PMC best practices and management skills developed on many completed projects, to assist our customers in achieving their business objectives,” says Dr. Eng. Anthony Moire of PSRM Consultants.

The company has embraced ISO Certification as a key guide to the quality of service to be expected from the company’s professionals when dealing with clients’ projects.

Some of the projects that the company has been involved with include Thika Greens, Putting up of the hangar for BlueBird Avi-

ation, Setting up of several new destinations on the Kenya Airways network for both town and airport offices – which included: Bangkok, Dakar, Hong Kong, Douala, Bamako, Lubumbashi and Guangzhou. PSRM Consultants are also key participants in the ICPAK project that entailed the construction of an office complex that included a 5 star hotel, swimming pool, offices and conference halls.

“Our strength also lies in the considerable experience in handling a wide range of large and small projects for the government, public, donors, aid agencies, non-governmental organizations, commercial and private clients,” says Dr. Eng. Moire.

He adds that the company has established a sound reputation in a wide variety of services, such as in the categories of Program Monitoring and Evaluation, Baseline Surveys, Customer Satisfaction Surveys, Policy Analysis, Research Design Development and Management,

Business Research, Strategic Management, Project Audit (or Value of Money (VFM) Assessment) and Risk Assessment. This gives the client an advantage of being able to get a multiplicity of services from one source.

The practice is also identified with high quality technical services in the disciplines of Occupational Health and Safety Audits, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Environmental Auditing (EA) and Compliance Audits of Properties on current and pending legislation. The firm is registered as a Firm of Experts with the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).

PSRM assists stakeholders in capital design and construction programs in understanding how project teams are selected, procured/contracted, and coordinated for successful project de-

livery. In addition, we undertake projects/procurement reviews/ audits be they prior, mid-term or post to establish status and recommend mitigating measures.

Eng. Moire attributes the success of the firm to patient recruitment of the brightest individuals in the market, and set abouttraining and challenging his team to ensure professional growth and development together with continuous motivation, reinforced by regular appraisal and counseling. High quality, professional, personalized service was assured as a result.

The team is equipped to handle project team leadership, coordinate delivery teams, project scope management in which they are expected to accurately define a Client’s requirements in the planning and development stage and systematically monitor and manage all the factors

UNIBEE

Construction Ltd.

We are proud to be associated with PSRM Consultants Ltd Kenelec House, Mai Mahiu Rd, Off Langata Rd, P.O. Box 56553-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel:+254 20 6005337 Fax: +254 20 6005338 Workshop: 020 2358259 Email-mail:info@unibee.co.ke

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East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

that may impact or change the Client’s program requirements throughout the project delivery process.

They are also expected to be adept at project planning and developmentand be able to manage the project costs.

The practice’s people will also handle quality control and Cost Management, Project Planning and Development, Schedule Management, Quality Control and Building Commissioning.

Monitoring and Evaluation PSRM has a wide experience in developing and implementing quasi – experimental and mixed – methods designs. It has implemented large – scale quantitative and qualitative field researches in the rural parts of Kenya embracing all manner of research methods.

The firm conducts evaluations

Mburu Consult Engineering (K)Ltd Real Estate Developers & Civil Engineering Contractors

We are proud to be associated with PSRM Consultants Ltd Kcb Building Enterprise Road P.O. Box 68170-00200 Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel: 0722 381 725 E-mail: engmburu@yahoo.com website: www.mburuconsult.com

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MINING Coal and iron-ore projects in Tanzania to start early 2017

PROFILE

of programs detailing evaluation design, implementation, and analysis involving the development and use of surveys, literature review, interviews, focus groups, and data analysis. PSRM’s evaluation teamsare matched to such projects based on prior experience and expertise.

The practice also undertakes property environment, health & safety, building codes & municipal (local authority) by-laws and statutory requirements and other areas of compliance on properties of varying magnitudes, in line with the Ministry of Labour requirement that all existing factories and places of work must undertake a Health and Safety Audit; Identify and address hazards, health and safety risks, and compliance to Local Authorities By-Laws & Statutory Requirements, and other areas of compliance.

PSRM also has vast experience in Structural Engineering Services, and the practice’s

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C professional experience is in Structural Engineering of Building Projects, Bridges and other Structures, civil Engineering for Roads, Parking Areas, Waterways, Urban Development and Urban Infrastructure, Storm and Foul Water Drainage, Jetties and Sea Walls. The other areas of significant experience are sustainable Engineering, historic Rehabilitation and renovation and rehabilitation and Maintenance Works.

Customer Satisfaction Surveys; PSRM offers customer satisfaction research solutions using cutting edge live agent, web, interactive voice response (IVR) and integrated service surveys to systemically improve customer interactions. In collaboration with PSRM Consultants, companies are able to capture powerful customer insights used for anything from process management to customer satisfaction measurement.

wehave a unique, powerful way of interacting with customers, to be able to accurately gauge their appreciation of our clients’ services or products. In this way, we are able to provide the information afirmneeds to correctly strategize to effectively compete in the cut-throat global market,” says Dr. Eng. Moire.

PSRM’s ongoing projects include Cooperative Bank’s housing estate, Kenya Commercial Bank, ICPAK on Thika Road, Coco Bahari in Mombasa and Stima Village for the Stima Cooperative Investments Company Limited.

Other significant undertakings

by PSRM Consultants include Evaluation of Economic Stimulus Programmes, EIA/EA & OHS of Laptrust Properties, Mid Term Evaluation of the Solar Energy for Rural Kenya Project (WE!Hubs), Customer Satisfaction Survey of the Laikipia Wildlife Forum,New Hangar, World Agro Forestry Centre, PAWS and the Olpajeta ranch.

“We stand out because

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

oal and iron-ore projects in Tanzania are set to commence in March 2017. Energy and Minerals Deputy Minister Medrard Kalemani said that Mchuchuma coal and Liganga iron-ore projects will help boost power production in the country.

The mega development projects which are considered to be the leading industrial investment in Tanzania since Independence are stated to cost US$ 3bn will be financed by Sichuan Hongda Group of China.

In 2014, the Tanzanian government gave out a 25-year mining licenses to extract coal and iron ore from Liganga and Mchuchuma respectively until 2039. Mchuchuma coal project is estimated to have 540 million tonnes of coal deposits which is enough to

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produce 600MW of power for more than 100 years.

Approximately 219 million tonnes of iron ore deposits have also been discovered at Liganga area in Ludewa district, Njombe region.

The projects are anticipated to be complete by July 2020 under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment through the National Development Corporation (NDC).

The Chinese firm owns a whole 80 per cent of the Liganga mine through a partnership

company with Tanzania China International Mineral Resources Limited (TCIMRL) and an entire 70 per cent of the Mchuchuma coal complex with a 100-year lifespan and a total value of US$54.8bn collectively.

Tanzania’s good and strong relations with China go way back to the era of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Mao Tse Tung.

The Chinese are now psyched up to invest a lot of money in the iron and coal mining sectors of the Tanzania that is projected to last for more than a century.

Sichuan Hongda Group Co. Ltd. Which operates as a diversified operation company conducts poly-metal mining and development, non-ferrous metal smelting, chemical, finance, real estate development, domestic and foreign trade among other related businesses.

Rwanda Says Tanzanian Rail Option Is Cheaper, Shorter Than Kenya

wanda is focusing on developing proposed rail links to ports on the Indian Ocean through Tanzania first because it’s cheaper and shorter than a route transiting Kenya, Finance Minister Claver Gatete said.

Studies done by member states in the six-nation East African Community showed that the Tanzanian option would cost about $800 million to $900 million, Gatete said in an interview Thursday at the World Economic Forum on Africa in the capital, Kigali. The Kenyan project would cost $1 billion, he said.

“We are working on the Dar es Salaam one, which will be cheaper because it’s the shortest route,” Gatete said.

Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda in 2013 agreed to link up

to the Kenyan port of Mombasa along a standard-gauge railway estimated to cost $13 billion.

The project was scheduled to be completed by March 2018. The East African, a Nairobi-based newspaper, reported on May 3 that Rwanda was in talks with Tanzania and Burundi about a shared route through their countries instead, because Uganda’s plans to develop a link to its northern neighbor South Sudan would delaying the Rwandan portion of the project.

Kenya Snub It’s the second time Kenyan may lose out on plans to develop regional infrastructure. Last month, Tanzanian President John Magufuli secured an agreement to have a pipeline in western Uganda routed to its port of Tanga. That scuppered an accord

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

between Kenya and Uganda in October 2015 for the conduit to pass through northern Kenya to a proposed port at Lamu.

The railway route via Tanzania will link Kigali to a port in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, according to the project’s website. A new railway is being built from Isaka in northwestern Tanzania to Kigali, with a branch to Musongati in neighboring Burundi. The existing railway from Dar es Salaam to Isaka is being upgraded.

Gatete said Rwanda planned to continue using ports in both Tanzania and Kenya.

“Our trade goes through Dar es Salaam and Mombasa,” he said. “We will need both of them.”

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PROFILE

PROFILE

Davis and Shirtliff

Celebrates 70th Anniversary, appoints new Chief Executive

D

avis &Shirtliff, the Region’s leading Water and Energy equipment supplier celebrated a major milestone, its 70th Anniversary, an achievement that is most unusual for any organisation, especially one that has the same family shareholding and essentially the same market focus since its founding.

There are few companies in Kenya with this claim and D&S is therefore extremely proud of the achievement with various celebrations being held in May to mark it.

The company was founded in 1946 by EC (Eddie) Davis and FR (Dick) Shirtliff, Mr Davis having recently left the army with a gratuity which he spent buying a stake in a small plumbing business he had worked with as a contractor. Mr Shirtliff soon joined him and the initial expertise was provided by Italian

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ex-prisoners of war! The company was based at Westlands (now the Nyota Petrol Station site) and grew rapidly as the country recovered after the war focusing on boreholes, water supplies and the coffee industry. Notable early projects included the water supply for Karen Estates, the entire water supply infrastructure until the mid-60’s being installed

by D&S. Also other estates supplies including Gigiri, Kitisuru, Kibagare, Rosslyn and later Runda were also D&S projects.

D&S grew with the country and in the mid-1950’s the offices moved to larger new premises at the present location in the Industrial Area. An added activity was swimming pools, both residential and commercial, and many were built that are still in use today including Limuru Girls School, Loreto Convent, Kenya High School and the YMCA. The company also installed water treatment plants at all the

Kengen Tana River hydro power stations as well as at the many new lodges that were constructed then. In 1970 partner Dick Shirtliff retired and his shareholding was purchased by a long serving staff member, DevjiShingadia. He and Eddie Davis then ran the company, retiring CEO Alec Davis joining in 1976.

Eddie Davis passed away in 1982 at the age of 79 and Alec then assumed his shareholding, in 1990 purchasing Shingadia’s shareholding as well. The 70’s and 80’s saw slow but steady growth as the country grappled with various economic and political problems, though there was a particular focus on building the pump business, notably Grundfos and Davey that were introduced in the mid-1960’s and also additional premises space was obtained through the purchase of two adjacent plots.

1993 was a significant year for both Kenya and D&S as

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

economic liberalisation occurred and this was the catalyst for the company’s rapid growth since.

It was also the year that Pedrollo products were introduced, now the Group’s largest supplier.

These two developments enabled a distribution strategy to be introduced as supply constraints were removed and also establishment of the branch network, which is now so important for the Group. Initially Kenya branches in Westlands, Eldoret and Kisumu were opened and between 1995 and 2000 subsidiaries in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda were established. Also the pump business grew hugely withPedrollo and new solar and power generation activities were established.

Since the Millenium growth has greatly accelerated, revenue increasing 20 times to KShs7Bn over the period. Major initiatives have included a complete re-development of the Industrial Area site and the expansion into adjacent plots, the opening of subsidiaries and associate companies in Zambia, Ethiopia and South Sudan, the establishment of a branch network with new ones about to open in OngataRongai, Narok, Kitui, Mombasa Downtown, Jinja and Lusaka Downtown, introduction of the successful Dayliff pump range as well as several new international suppliers including Lorenz, Kohler and DAB and a huge expansion of the product range.

The numbers are impressive, over the yearsnearly 1 Million pumps, more than 15,000 pool filters and 7 million kW of solar panels having been supplied and 7000 boreholes equipped.

Staffing has also grown correspondingly and the D&S Group now employs over 600 permanent staff operating from

48 sites. Equipment has been supplied to every type of user, industry and institution imaginable and it is true to say that most Kenyans will regularly benefit from a Davis & Shirtliff product in the course of their daily activities. When that product is water the benefit is considerable and the company proudly and rightly claims that it has been improving people’s lives for 70 years.

Company is a significant manufacturer making fibre-glass products, its distinctive yellow pool filters being especially popular, as well as fabricated steel items and it also assembles a wide range of water related equipment. A recent investment has been the establishment of a

Today D&S is a thoroughly modern and innovative company that has been crafted by its long history though has its focus firmly on the future. The product range has hugely expanded with a focus on six market segments – Water Pumps, Boreholes, Swimming Pools, Solar equipment, Water Treatment and Power Generation. Though much equipment is imported the

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

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PROFILE control panel manufacturing unit with a capacity of over 1000 panels a year. The present focus is ‘Leadership Through Technology’ and many new interesting products have been introduced including locally manufactured Reverse Osmosis and Ultra Filtration plants, variable speed pump sets, remote monitoring controllers and Solar power generating systems. Service is another important priority for the Group and its large vehicle fleet is a common sight on Kenya’s roads. The Company is also proud of its IT resources with a centralised ERP system that is used regionally, all system development being done inhouse. Other functions include a highly resourced Supply division to handle the Group’s up to KShs1Bn stockholding, which also carries out clearing, and a well-resourced training department that trains both staff and customers. A recent innovation has been live streaming so training sessions are relayed throughout the Group.

A particular Group focus has always been the availability of adequate physical facilities and the Dundori Rd site has been in a state of almost permanent reconstruction for the past 20 years. The most recent develop-

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SPECIAL FEATURE ment has been the construction of a 1,500m2 four-storey block that will provide additional office space as well as a 180 seat canteen and a fully equipped Training facility. This is being inaugurated by special guest Abbas Gullit, Secretary-General of the Kenya Red Cross during the Anniversary celebrations. Another recent investment is a similar sized HQ in Mombasa for the Coast Region. This was opened in February.

It is often said that success is transitory and sometimes unsustainable, though D&S has managed to maintain unbroken growth for an exceptional period of time. This has been achieved by commercial focus, manageable ambition, consistency of ownership and, importantly, living the values of Quality, Integrity and ‘AltioraPeto’, which translates to embracing continuous change. The other key factor that has created this success story is the unusually harmonious staff relations and enormous staff commitment and motivation since the company’s founding.

This has been achieved by recruitment and training of consistently high calibre people and also by enlightened, generous and fair employment policies that have enabled people to

reach their potential with rewarding jobs and enjoy a secure future. Over 90 staff have completed 25 years’ service and also many alumni have progressed to senior management and technical positions in the country’s water sector. D&S has certainly played a significant rolein developing the human resource base of Kenya’s water industry.

D&S is now a widely recognised brand in the region and is proud of the contribution it has made. Of course the anniversary is just a moment in a journey and the Group continues to grow with a number of initiatives in hand and great plans for the future. Alec Davis is retiring from executive responsibilities from the end of May to assume the role of Chairman and the executive team under new CEO David Gatende will drive this growth. The company is also fortunate that the third generation Davis’s, Edward and Henry, have joined the business, so continuity is assured. The Group continues to expand in product and markets and looks forward to keep serving the region with essential products that certainly improve peoples’ lives and also being a several hundred million US$ company by the end of the next decade!

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

The importance of a well maintained plant operation…

How clean is your site?

Furthermore it has been said that by maintaining site cleanliness and a general programme of maintenance this will actively reduce the chances of dirt or debris entering the plant and will ensure that maximum uptime is maintained at all times where possible.

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ith maximum productivity being at the forefront of most businesses minds, very often the basic principles of site housekeeping are overlooked and even ignored. While plants are processing material, it’s easy for the operator in charge or even the site owner to assume that it will continue to do so without any type of care or attention given to the surrounding areas and the plant itself.

This isn’t always the case, however. As well

2. Avoidance of regulatory fines:

as obviously being a major step towards promoting a healthy and safe working environment, good, consistent site housekeeping can go a long way in ensuring that your plant continues to produce high quality products at a consistent rate and here’s why…

A company who ensures aclean, well-organised site avoids potential penalties from various industry related regulatory bodies and other legal entities.

The advantages of best practice site maintenance

3. Enhancement of employee safety & morale:

1. A reduction in clean-up costs:

Employees that feel safe at work are more prone to feeling happier in the workplace which in turn can lead to staff making a greater personal impact in the company. In simple terms, this canmean increased productivity, reduced absence from work and even higher staff retention.

Taking a proactive approach to site maintenance and adopting a ‘tidy as you go’ policy over the life of the quarry will ultimately reduce the time and money spent on site clean-up during periods where the plant may be shut down or be non-operational, for examplethrough the winter months in some cases.

A well conserved site is less laborious than trying to maintain one that has been subject to poor upkeep in the past.

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4. Generation of revenue& increased efficiency: Regular site maintenance can help to accommodate high productivity levels and more

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SPECIAL FEATURE importantly the creation of high quality end products for resale.Furthermore, a clean and well-organised quarry site can increase production efficiency by ensuring open paths and roadways for easier access to the plant. Regular preventative maintenance on key areas of a plant will ultimately maximise uptime through planned and routine checks.

5. Freeing up manpower: By having a continuous and regular focus on site maintenance, this will ensure that site housekeeping is integral to the business and therefore more manageable. This can in turn save employees more time in the long term and allow them to be more productive on other plant related tasks with a focus on the primary objective of maximum productivity.

6. A saving on fuel costs: A clean, easily accessible plant can also provide site operatives with a direct route to specific areas of the plant when using other items of machinery. such as loading shovels which could mean a reduction in fuel consumption

7. Enhancement of company reputation through corporate social responsibility: Adequate maintenance and site housekeeping practices could potentially help a company to retain current customers and attract new ones.

The maintenance of equipment shouldn’t be undertaken on a ‘one-off’ basis, this should be a daily, on-going part of

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any quarry or site operation.In most cases, maintenance work candone by employees on site provided that they are adequately trained, but some work may require the expertise of plant providers for more technical maintenance schedules.

Furthermore it has been said that by maintaining site cleanliness and a general programme of maintenance this will actively reduce the chances of dirt or debris entering the plant and will ensure that maximum uptime is maintained at all times where possible.

The creation of a housekeeping checklist can also assist in maintaining a clean, effective site.

Moreover, improvement in health and safety is most effectively achieved when it becomes totally integrated into everything that a

very often these can be easily rectified by having a competent service engineer on site.

In summary, by regularly maintaining a clean site and plant operation, not only are you maximising production, you are also providing a safe working environment, which both in the long term can provide significant cost savings.

CDE Global is the leading provider of washing equipment for quarries, mines and recycling operations. The CDE equipment range has applications across a wide range of materials and is delivering significant efficiencies in the construction and recycling, mining, specialist industrial sands and environmental sectors.

CDE Global operates in 4 sectors, construction and recycling, mining, industrial sands

The creation of a housekeeping checklist can also assist in maintaining a clean, effective site. business does and as a result, employees therefore should be educated that it’s necessary to ‘tidy as you go’.

In addition, preventative maintenance measures can increase efficiency in day-to-day operations, as well as increase the overall readiness of plants in case of unexpected levels of processing requirements, allowing you to meet and exceed the demands and expectations of customers and in turn provide a quality service. Not only does regular maintenance improve plant performance, maintenance includes and is not limited to adjustments, cleaning, lubrication and the replacement of parts.

Likewise, regular plant inspections will identify any areas for enhancement that you would not otherwise have known and

and environmental, across the 7 main global regions. The CDE Global Design Headquarters is in Northern Ireland and the company also have an office in Kolkata, India to serve the Asian market, an office in Sao Paulo, Brazil to serve the Latin American market and an office in North Carolina, USA, to serve the North American market.

Custom Care is a service afforded to all CDE Customers offering maintenance advice, service and support, a range of training programmes, a range of parts and spares and product warranties.

Ryan Barker, Global Service Manager at CDE Global evaluates the often underestimated gains of maintaining a clean and tidy site over and above regular plant maintenance…

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

Housing challenge in Africa as population rises exponentially

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Housing challenge in Africa is apparent. This is as a result of increased growth brought about by mainly the commodity boom. With this exponential growth in population, many governments have been confronted by a host of development challenges.

According to the UN-Habitat, Africa is growing

into an urban environment at the rate of 4% per annum. With the increase in urban centres many people shift from the rural areas into urban centers.

This causes several challenges ranging from overcrowding, pollution, increased crime rate, social evils associated with urban settings. “Urbanization in the Africa of today is an untapped tool for development and economic growth,” says Joan Clos, the executive director of UN-Habitat.

African cities are expected to grow at higher and steady rates compared to other regions in the world over the next 15 years.

This is according to the Oxford Economics, a British firm specializing in global prediction and quantitative study for business and government. They predict Cape Town, Dar es Salaam,

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

Johannesburg and Luanda becoming Africa’s economic power houses.

As many city struggle to achieve reasonable development, this development should not cause adverse effects to the environment. This ensures that this type of development is sustainable i.e ‘cities of the future today ’development that is accompanied by adverse effect to the environment is a time bomb in waiting as such development cannot be sustained into the future.

With Africa’s rapid economic growth and a rapid population growth rate of about one billion means Africa is urbanizing at a faster rate than any other place in the world. Major cities in Africa contribute $700 billion annually to the continent’s GDP and the figure is expected to raise to $1.7 trillion come the

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HOUSING year 2030. according to UN-Habitat the mushrooming of cities in many parts of the developing countries is posing challenges in relation to distribution of people and resources, as well as land problems which lead to insufficient land-use. Cities growing horizontally are finding it hard to deal with increasing population and are likely not to be sustainable over a long period of of challenges with congestion, pollution, infrastructure and social disaggregation. An increase in rural-urban migration can lead to poverty and inequality as many people throng into towns in search of jobs and opportunities. This n turn causes a strain on the available resources.

“Urbanization, particularly in the developing world, has been accompanied by increased levels of crime, violence, and lawlessness. Global studies show that 60% of all urban residents in developing countries have been victims of crime at least once over the past five years, 70% of them in Latin America and Africa,” says UN-Habitat’s website.

Women and are often the biggest victims especially when fear hinders them from accessing services in the city. Insecurity and raising cases of crime restrict city urban development socially and economically. It also compromises development opportunities and polices that are meant to help the poor urban areas.

There is an urgent need for sustainable cities considering cities generate over 70% of the world’s emission. Majority slum dwellers worldwide suffer the consequences of air pollution from indoor cooking, proximity to traffic, industry, contaminated water, inadequate sanitation among other environmental health hazards.

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The UN-Habitat proposes a three-model approach to sustainable cities based on effective and comprehensive urban legislation, moderated urban planning and design, and sufficient funding for projects. These three principals are pivotal in transforming the cities and human settlements into centers of environmental, economic and social sustainability.

City planning of sustainable has recently shifted to take into consideration issues of climate change. Africa’s urban environments are in particular prone to flooding and outbreak of dis-

“Urbanization, particularly in the developing world, has been accompanied by increased levels of crime, violence, and lawlessness”. eases. These can be prevented through effective policy implementation, proper planning, and protection of ecologically sensitive areas, undertaking tree planting exercises and energy generation from wastes.

The African Urban Agenda has been developed and is awaiting adoption by the African leaders In July of 2016. It consists of remedies the Africa needs to embrace so as to improve its cities and settlements and promote the idea of Africa’s structural transformation through urbanization.

It represents Africa’s proposals into the Global Urban Agenda to be adopted at Habitat III, a conference on housing and sustainable urban development

to be hosted by UN-Habitat in October 2016 in Quito, Ecuador.

It is evident that urban planning needs a shift from viewing urbanization mainly as a problem, to seeing it as a vessel for development and transformation, UN-Habitat says in UN-Habitat Global Activities Report 2015: Increasing Synergy for Greater National Ownership.

At a meeting convened by UN-Habitat together with the Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia in March 2014, African Union Commission’s director of political affairs, Khabele Matlosa, emphasized the need for African countries to adopt new development strategies designed to make urbanization more advantageous by through job creation, facilitating structural transformation and addressing social imbalances and inequality and reducing poverty while creating habitable settlements with equal opportunities for all. According to a report by the UN-Habitat, there is need to develop safe settlements. These coupled with sustained economic growth, urbanization, industrialization and a strong urge for human development, can be mutually reinforcing.

With a slum population of 199.5 million according to UN-Habitat, Sub-Saharan Africa has ‘a poorly planned and managed urban sector and, in particular, a malfunctioning housing sector’. Africa has one of the biggest slums in the world notably, West Point in Liberia with a population of more 75,000 people, Kibera slum I Nairobi is Africa’s largest slum with more than two million people. Africa’s housing needs stands at around four million housing units per year, with the urban residents claiming over 60% of the total demand.

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

Selecting Energy Efficient Distribution Transformers

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ransformers are complex yet they are the selected equipment used by most of the industries for smoother power supply. With the growing energy consumption and various mega infrastructure projects under construction, Africa needs to major its focus on expanding its power generation capacity. The growing capacity and the ever rising power demands are consequently boosting demand for distribution transformers in Africa.

Africa’s existing power grid and the new power transmission line is highly expected to fuel distribution transformers market growth due to the increasing number of foreign investment in the power sector. Presently, Africa depends majorly on hydropower project for electricity generation. Therefore, distribution transformers are gaining significance due to the accelerated construction activities in the power expansion necessities for the transmission network to carry additional power.

Distribution transformers are considered to be the best as they offer high voltage rating with the highest level of power and the most efficient way to transport power, is by the use of the highest available voltage, given that higher voltage equates to lower currents for a constant amount of power. Power produced at a utility power plant will alter voltage numerous times via transformers before reaching the end user, therefore, a transformer is

required at each point along the distribution path where a change in voltage is necessary.

You and I know that a transformer can be in service for decades, and with such a long life span, the operating cost can greatly exceed the initial price.

This worrying concern brings to the consideration when choosing the right transformer for economic performance, one has to look at the proper size (capacity) and efficiency of the transformer, and efficiency means looking at both the core steel and the winding material. At times there can be a tendency to oversize the transformer capacity relative to the load it will actually

see.

DTs are usually intended to convey a shortcoming current normally constrained by the impedance of its most extreme length which is at 2 seconds for each gauge. However, the good thing with distribution transformers is that they are configured in either single phase or three phases with a maximum power, voltage and current ratings.

May/June 2016| East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review

In our today world, many untapped technologies have been invented to save energy and encourage the use of renewable energy sources. However, energy losses of distribution transformers account for almost one third of overall transmission and distribution losses energy saving potentials in conversion of primary energy to final energy.

The losses are a result of current and wire resistance (P = I2 * R) Even though the electricity demand keeps going over the roof in several African countries with the electricity system developing towards “smart grids, the most worrying question still remains, how will the integrated distribution grid system loss minimised?

Distribution transformer plays a key role in an electrical system’s efficiency and power quality, yet 95% of buying decisions are based solely on first cost. Buying based on life cycle cost would save literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in operating losses over the installed life for transformers in a typical. Users can lower energy rates and avoid high transformer losses by investing in energy-efficient transformers.

In my research, small and medium electricity distribution companies and companies in industry and commerce often do not pay enough attention to

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FEATURE the efficiency and life cycle costs of distribution transformers. The neglect of this issue can lead to several problems, therefore, it is important to solve them to avoid future increase in electrical loads.

Transformers have two major components that drive losses: the core and the coils. The typical core is an assembly of laminated steel. Core losses are mostly related to magnetizing or energizing the core. These losses, also known as no-load losses, are present the entire time the transformer is powered on, regardless of whether there’s any load or not.

Core losses are roughly constant from no-load to fullload when feeding linear loads.

They represent a continuous cost, 24/7, for the 25- to 40year life of the transformer. A common 75kVA commercial transformer has about 400W in no-load losses. At $.10/kWh, this represents a continuous cost of $350/yr or $14,000 over a 40-year life, eclipsing the purchase cost many times over. And remember, this is just the cost for powering the unit. The cost of powering the load itself far exceeds this cost.

Since a wide variety of transformers serve different purposes, actual losses incurred in the field will vary substantially from one installation to another.

Load level varies widely, with some installations running very heavily loaded and others more lightly loaded. This difference substantially affects actual losses incurred.

To calculate the cost of these losses, one must refer to the billing structure of the electric utility.

This varies across the country and may involve kWh, kW peak demand, and kVA charges.

Taking an example from Fig.

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2, at 60% load the transformer has about 1,500W of losses. If the user is being billed only on kilowatt-hour consumption at a rate of $.10/kWh, the operating cost would be 1.5kW x $.10/ kWh, which equals $.15/hr or roughly $1,300/year—the same order of magnitude as the purchase price of the transformer.

Although some utilities charge by kVA or kW, most charge a combination of a kWh rate and a peak demand charge. Additional distribution or environmental costs are also common

Distribution transformers are considered to be the best as they offer high voltage rating with the highest level of power and the most efficient way to transport power, surcharges included in electrical bills, so be sure to look beyond the cost per kWh. Despite considerable improvement since the turn of the 20th century, Africa has the highest levels of electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) losses in the world. T&D losses represent electricity that is generated but does not reach intended customers. Electricity losses are the result of technical inefficiency and theft. Technical losses occur because of the resistance of wires and equipment as electricity passes through.

Some loss is inevitable, but in

places with good technical efficiency and low theft, T&D losses generally range between 6% and 8%. Losses result from theft, mostly occurs when consumed electricity is not accounted for.

Unlike many countries around the world, Africa has no mandatory standard on energy efficiency for the distribution transformers which could foster the realisation of these cost saving potentials. Compared to saving potentials in other areas, the electricity saving potentials of distribution transformers in power industry and commerce seem to be small. Nevertheless, every contribution to climate change mitigation and energy security is necessary, particularly if it is economical.

Conclusion

Normally transformers are wounded with copper wire, but they can as well be wounded with aluminium wire. The efficiency is almost the same and is cost-effective as well. Distribution transformers are widely used in electrical power supply and distribution systems. However, the basic concepts of the best distribution transformer, one has to consider the machines used in building the transformer, material used to design the transformer and how skilled are the workmen before purchasing the power machine.

When energy savings are driving part or all of the justification for selecting a particular transformer, it’s important that these savings are indeed present once the transformer is installed.

This means commissioning the transformer for energy performance after installation. In fact, some rebate programs and other life cycle-oriented programs like Leadership in Efficiency and Environmental Design call for ongoing product commissioning.

East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016

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East Africa Infrastruture & Engineering Review | May/June 2016