GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) announced a landmark agreement with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) to construct a cutting-edge National System Control Center (NSCC) that will significantly enhance the monitoring and management of Kenya’s national electricity grid. The project, led by the GE Vernova–Larsen & Toubro (L&T) consortium, marks a major step toward modernizing Kenya’s energy infrastructure as the country races toward its goal of universal electricity access by 2030.
The consortium will design and build a Main Control Centre in Embakasi and an Emergency Control Centre in Suswa, both equipped with advanced grid software solutions and state-of-the-art automation and monitoring technologies. The Main Control Centre will serve as the nerve center of Kenya’s electricity grid, while the Suswa facility will provide critical redundancy and house an Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system to support efficient grid operations.
GE Vernova booked the order in Q1 2025 and expects the full project to be completed within three years.
“A new, advanced NSCC is essential for managing increased electricity demand as Kenya’s economy grows,” said Dr. Eng. John Mativo, MBS, Managing Director and CEO at KETRACO. “It will ensure reliable, secure, and efficient electricity transmission across the country. This is a game-changer for Kenya’s electricity transmission capabilities.”
Supporting Kenya’s Energy Vision
Kenya is investing heavily in energy infrastructure as part of its strategy to deliver affordable, reliable electricity to 100% of its population by 2030. The country is also prioritizing energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and smart grid development. The NSCC will serve as a backbone for these initiatives, allowing for real-time control, automation, and enhanced grid resilience.
Consortium Roles Defined
GE Vernova, through its French subsidiary Grid Solutions SAS, will lead the technological deployment, delivering a suite of sophisticated systems from its Electrification Software and Grid Automation portfolio. Key solutions include:
-
GridOS® Advanced Energy Management Systems (AEMS) and Wide Area Management Systems (WAMS)
-
GridBeats™ Asset Performance Management (APM) and Condition Monitoring devices
-
Substation Automation and Telecommunication Systems
-
Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)
Larsen & Toubro will be responsible for all civil engineering work, including the construction of the two greenfield control center buildings, installation of equipment, and support during system configuration, testing, and commissioning.
“GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to handle projects of this scale and complexity,” said Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova’s Electrification Systems businesses. “This project will boost the reliability and efficiency of Kenya’s national grid and represents a pivotal milestone in the country’s electrification and decarbonization journey.”
Financing and International Cooperation
The project is backed by financing from the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Treasury, with further support from the European Union in the form of a grant dedicated to capacity building. This financial framework underscores France’s commitment to Kenya’s energy transition and sustainable development.
“A modern NSCC will make the Kenyan grid more resilient and reliable, enabling the integration of more variable renewable energy,” said H.E. Arnaud Suquet, French Ambassador to Kenya. “France is proud to support this project as part of our long-standing partnership with Kenya in the energy sector.”
GE Vernova’s Financial Services division played a key role in securing concessional financing for the project, demonstrating the importance of aligning technical innovation with tailored financial solutions to deliver transformative infrastructure.
With construction set to begin soon, the new NSCC is expected to be a cornerstone of Kenya’s evolving power ecosystem—ensuring that the nation is equipped to meet future energy demands and transition to a low-carbon, inclusive energy economy.
