The impact of vision driven planning approach on electricity distribution system planning in Kenya

An approach to electricity distribution system planning using multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques embedded in a vision driven planning approach is adopted to assess the viability and desirability of alternative planning solution. Each alternative solution is evaluated using a number of MCDM evaluation criteria and a separate capital cost is calculated for each solution. This approach ensures that the technical benefit of each solution is not obscured by the associated capital cost. The proposed methodology is used to assess the impact of “Kenya Vision 2030” on electricity distribution system planning in Kenya. This is done by analysing and comparing the cost of each solution with the capital investment budget envisaged on the vision. The results show that this approach provides the ability to make strategic decisions relating to the whole network and also particular individual planning problems simultaneously within the planning horizon period of the vision, hence offering a flexible and robust plan.