KETRACO commissions transformer oil recycling machine

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has commissioned a transformer oil filtration and regeneration machine.

Oil filtration or purification is a process that power companies use to remove sludge, dissolved moisture, sulfur and dissolved gases from transformer oil.

Transformer oil is used to cool and insulate the transformer during its operation of stepping up and down power voltage.  

KETRACO Managing Director Dr John Mativo said on Wednesday that the new machine will help the company to extend the shelf life and boost the performance of transformers.

The KETRACO boss said that the machine has already filtered and regenerated 9,000 liters of transformer oil, underlining its immediate impact on the performance of the equipment.

KETRACO (has) commissioned an oil filtration and regeneration machine to save on cost, extend transformer life, minimize environmental impact, remove sulfur and perform online regeneration eliminating downtime

ketraco managing director dr john mativo

It is recommended for power companies to perform routine transformer oil testing at least once a year in order to monitor the health of their transformers. 

According to MRL Group, a Nairobi-based company that specializes in transformer manufacturing, installation and related services, transformer oil testing services, says that faults can occur at any stage of transformer’s life and evolve rapidly. 

Testing your transformers on a regular basis will allow you to detect any unforeseen change in the condition of your transformers.

KETRACO, which is a fully State-owned company charged with building and maintain Kenya’s transmission infrastructure, is one of the main buyers of transformers in the country.

Kenya Power however remains the largest buyer of transformers in the country by the virtue of it being the sole power distributor in Kenya. Other buyers include KenGen and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).

Transformers are however a constant target for vandals looking to pilfer transformer oil, which is in high demand on the market, as well as metal parts.

Kenya Power lost 365 transformers due to vandalism in 2023, highlighting the growing menace that is not only bleeding the utility millions of shillings annually but also plunging customers into darkness.

The power distributor said the transformers were valued at Sh328 million, translating to an average cost of Sh898,630 per transformer.

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