Electrical Engineer - Quality, Commissioning & Maintenance at Malanix Electrical Company (2022-07 – Present)
- Planned, developed and implemented preventive maintenance schedules and electrical test regimes (insulation resistance, RCD, earth resistance tests) for LV power distribution systems, generators, UPS and battery systems.
- Led fault diagnosis and resolution activities for electrical systems including switchgear, and control systems; provided technical direction to maintenance crews under operational pressure.
- Executed and supervised electrical commissioning, isolations and reinstatement activities in coordination with permit-to-work (PTW) and Lock-Out Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures.
- Performed technical inspections and condition monitoring (functional testing, load checks) on critical electrical equipment; prepared asset health assessments and recommend remediation actions.
- Developed and reviewed electrical workpacks, method statements, risk assessments and job hazard analyses (JHAs) for field electrical tasks.
- Ensured HSE compliance and verify contractor adherence to safe work practices, electrical tagging and LOTO requirements; conducted toolbox talks and competency assessments for maintenance staff.
- Maintained accurate electrical documentation including single-line diagrams (SLDs), test records, inspection reports and maintenance logs.
- Conducted root cause analysis (RCA) on non-conformities and equipment failures; implemented CAPA to prevent recurrence and reduce repeat failures.
- Designed and installed off-grid and hybrid solar PV systems (10 kVA inverter capacity) installations, using monocrystalline PV modules (105W–540W, Voc 37–45V) and sizing strings to stay within inverter MPPT input voltage windows, matching array short-circuit current (Isc) to charge controller amperage rating (60–80A MPPT on residential units).
- Installed and commissioned LiFePO₄ lithium battery banks across system scales, 12V/100Ah and 24V/200Ah and 48V 200Ah banks (9.6 kWh) verifying battery management system (BMS) communication with hybrid inverters and confirming charge/discharge parameters against manufacturer specifications.
- Configured hybrid inverter DC bus voltage (12V/24V/48V) to match battery bank voltage class; commissioned single-phase 230V AC output on residential systems, verifying pure sine wave output before connecting loads; set battery-priority/grid-priority modes and low-voltage disconnect thresholds to suit load profiles.
- Performed pre-energization DC-side testing (string Voc/Isc verification, polarity checks, insulation resistance) and verify earthing/bonding of array frames and inverter chassis to IEC 62548 requirements on residential rooftop arrays; ensure installations meet EPRA solar PV licensing and KEBS wiring/safety standards.
Commissioning Engineer - HV/MV Electrical Systems at Siemens Energy (Ethiopia–Kenya HVDC Interconnector Project) (2019-10 – 2022-03)
Project Value: US$1.26 Billion | 1,045 km, 500 kV HVDC, 2,000 MW Capacity
- Developed and executed Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs) for the ±500 kV, 2,000 MW Suswa Converter Station, applying high-altitude (1,593m MASL) derating factors per IEC 60099-4 and CIGRE B4 guidelines for EHV equipment.
- Commissioned 12 single-phase converter transformers (196.1 MVA, 400:√3 / 207.8 kV) across both HVDC poles. Executed full pre-commissioning test suite: winding resistance at all 21 OLTC tap positions (IEC 60076-1), turns ratio testing, and OLTC sequence testing across all 21 positions. Verified oil sampling DGA on delivery (H₂ ppm, CO ppm, C₂H₂ ppm) and insulation resistance (minimum 1,000 MΩ at 5 kV DC per IEC 60076-3).
- Commissioned 9 × 117/117/5 MVA single-phase autotransformers (400 ±10×1% / 220 / 33 kV with 21-tap OLTC). Tests included winding resistance at all tap positions (phases within 2%), TTR across full OLTC range, no-load losses and short-circuit impedance (impedance tolerance ±7.5% per IEC 60076-1). Also commissioned 3 × 33 kV / 200 A ZN earthing transformers and injection-tested associated restricted earth fault (REF) protection.
- Coordinated mechanical/electrical commissioning of 12-pulse thyristor valve bridges; conducted Thyristor Level Tests (TLT), low-voltage DC firing sequence tests, and verified Deionised Water (DIW) cooling system integrity (conductivity μS/cm).
- Involved in the energization and protection testing of 9 × 150 MVAr AC harmonic filter banks and 420 kV SF₆ circuit breakers; validated Point-on-Wave (POW) controlled switching timing and verified contact resistance via micro-ohmmeter.
- Commissioned 400 kV CTs/VTs; performed secondary injection testing, excitation curve verification (TPY cores), and polarity checks to ensure accurate fault ride-through capabilities.
- Commissioned complete 3-tier auxiliary power architecture including 33 kV ring main units RMU1/RMU2 (3Ph, 1,250 A, 25 kA vacuum switchgear), 4 × 400 kVA station service transformers, 2 × 2 MVA main station service transformers, and 415 V switchboards (3,200 A / 70 kA, 1 s). Executed 10-hour battery capacity discharge test (C10 rate) on both 110 VDC battery banks (1,660 Ah / 2×83 cells per system. Commissioned 1,370 kVA emergency diesel generator: performed 2-hour full-load test at 1,096 kW (0.8 PF); verified auto-start to rated voltage and frequency within 10 s.
- Managed complex electrical isolations, switching operations, and PTW/LOTO procedures across the 400 kV AC and ±500 kV DC switchyards, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols during first-energization milestones.
- Prepared and maintained full commissioning documentation: Commissioning Management Plan (CMP), Test Procedure Documents (TPDs), Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) aligned with IEC 62271, IEC 61803, and CIGRE B4 guidelines; established KETRACO and Siemens AG Hold, Witness, and Review points for all critical milestones; documented all non-conformities and drove corrective actions to closure prior to commercial operation date.
Electrical Engineer Assistant - Infrastructure at Athi Water Works Development Authority (Nairobi Water Distribution Network) (2018-04 – 2019-02)
Project Value: €34.75 Million | Kabete-Uthiru-Karen Pipeline, Lot 2
- Assisted in review and implementation of electrical installation procedures for the Kabete Pumping Station upgrade, including verification of 11 kV supply intake from KPLC, 11 kV/415 V step-down distribution transformer installation, LV main switchboard, Motor Control Centre (MCC) with DOL/soft-starter modules for the new pump motors, and associated earthing and bonding to IEC 60364 standards. Verified cable tray routing, cable sizing compliance, and termination quality for all LV power and control cables in the pump hall and ancillary buildings.
- Performed insulation resistance (IR) tests at 500 V DC on all LV power cables and motor winding IR tests before energisation; conducted earth continuity checks on all protective conductors.
- Participated in commissioning of the upgraded Kabete Pumping Station; supported motor no-load run tests, progressive loading trials up to design flow of 72,200 m3/day, and verification of pump performance curves; monitored motor current and temperature during extended load runs and confirmed values within OEM rated limits; collated commissioning test records and performance data for formal hand-over documentation package.
- Assisted in inspection and testing of level instrumentation at the RC 5,000 m3 storage tank, including pressure-type and ultrasonic level transmitters interfaced to pump station PLC/control logic for automated start/stop on high/low level set points; confirmed IP54-rated field junction boxes, cable route protection, and waterproofing at all instrument terminations.
- Calibrated and loop-tested electromagnetic flow meters on the DN900 mm main pipeline and DN500 mm branch pipeline across the 14 km route (flow range 0-833 l/s).
