Kenya Power has addressed one of the most persistent concerns from its customers: how long it takes to fix a faulty transformer and the reasons behind recurring power outages.
In a statement on X Thursday, the utility firm outlined the main causes of transformer failures and explained why some outages last for weeks.
The utility company revealed that many outages are preventable and often stem from small oversights or illegal activities.
“You might be surprised to learn that many of these outages stem from preventable issues – small oversights that can lead to weeks of frustration for customers,” the company stated in a tweet.
The company said the most common cause of transformer failure is overloading and unauthorised connections.
Kenya Power said that when communities tap into the power grid illegally or plug in too many high-energy appliances, they exceed the transformer’s design limits.
This overload results in overheating, dangerous voltage imbalances, and ultimately, equipment burnout.
Vandalism is another major contributor to transformer breakdowns, the company said
The units contain cooling oil and valuable copper windings, which attract criminals. Once tampered with, transformers lose their ability to cool effectively.
“If power is restored without these elements, the transformer can overheat and burn out within hours,” Kenya Power noted.
Environmental hazards such as lightning strikes, falling trees, floods, and extreme heat also damage transformers.
These natural occurrences can knock out transformers instantly or weaken them over time. With severe weather becoming more frequent, maintaining power infrastructure is becoming increasingly difficult.
However, Kenya Power notes that not all transformer failures result from external factors.
Some begin with manufacturing defects—flaws in design or substandard materials—that may go unnoticed until the transformer is placed under pressure.
During periods of high demand, these weaknesses become evident and lead to breakdowns, even in new equipment.
Aging infrastructure is another issue. Many transformers have remained in service far longer than they were designed for. Older units are more prone to failure, which can extend the duration of outages.
Kenya Power emphasized that identifying the root causes of transformer failures is key to improving service reliability.
“Understanding why transformers fail is the first step toward prevention,” the company said.
Transformer failure is a major factor in Kenya’s frequent power outages.
In 2023, the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI), which measures how often customers experience outages, stood at 44.9. This means an average Kenyan customer experienced nearly 45 unplanned power cuts in one year.
Since 2020, Kenya has experienced at least eight nationwide blackouts, pointing to increasing pressure on the grid. Kenya Power says the complexity of transformer repairs—especially in cases involving vandalism or overload—means restoration can take longer.
The company urged the public to help protect power infrastructure by discouraging illegal connections and reporting vandalism.
by JANEMOLLY ACHIENG
