Electric Supply in East Africa

Abstract

THE report of the annual meeting of the East African Power and Lighting Co. in Nairobi, at which Major Ward presided, is now available. Major Ward pointed out that in present circumstances it is not possible to give so much detail as in the past; but as the period since the outbreak of the War has passed with remarkably little change in the conditions in which the Company has been working, it has been able to maintain progress. Results in the East African Territories are largely affected by commodity prices, which were well maintained. The past year had shown considerable increase in the development of secondary industries. In 1939 the rainfall in the Nairobi area was the lowest on record, and the Company found much difficulty in meeting the demand of its consumers, but a supply was maintained until the rains broke. Actually there was a new 1,400 b.h.p. Diesel generator, due for delivery, but the War delayed shipment of the plant, which is the largest generator of this type in East Africa. It arrived in April last. Units sold in Kenya increased from nearly 14 million in 1938 to more than 16 million in 1939. In Tanganyika Territory, the Dar-es-Salaam and District Electric Supply Co. had an increased demand, requiring an additional plant capacity, and a further Diesel set was installed.