Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP), Africa’s largest wind farm, has unveiled a significant environmental and social impact in its 2024 Sustainability Report. Titled “Beyond Turbines: Impacting Kenya, Empowering People,” the report details a landmark reduction of 574,547 tonnes of CO2 emissions and a cumulative investment of Sh 875 million in local communities over the past six years.
Situated in the remote Loiyangalani District, Marsabit County, the 365-turbine project cemented its role as a cornerstone of Kenya’s energy supply. In 2024 alone, LTWP delivered 1,367 Gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity to the national grid, constituting 10.89 percent of Kenya’s total grid supply.
Since commencing operations, LTWP has injected over 9.5 billion kilowatt-hours into the grid. This substantial contribution has drastically cut Kenya’s reliance on expensive, polluting fossil fuels, displacing an estimated Sh 167 billion worth of fuel imports.
The project’s environmental leadership was starkly evident in its 2024 carbon reduction achievement, equivalent to removing over 120,000 cars from the road for a year. Complementing this, LTWP intensified local conservation efforts, planting 528 trees as part of broader initiatives supporting Kenya’s national target of achieving 30percent tree cover.
Beyond power generation, LTWP’s impact resonates deeply within Marsabit County. Through its dedicated NGO, Winds of Change (WoC), the project channels significant resources into health, education, and water infrastructure within the Laisamis Constituency.
Key 2024 investments include constructing new classroom blocks, a modern laboratory, and a 46-bed male ward at Laisamis Hospital. These initiatives directly served approximately 116,000 residents last year.
LTWP is also a major local employer. Of its 302 employees, a substantial 81percent are sourced from Marsabit County communities, making it a leading private sector job creator in the region.
Furthermore, the project demonstrated an unwavering commitment to safety, achieving 285 ‘Green Days’ in 2024, days without any recordable safety incidents, underpinned by rigorous Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) protocols and training.
Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) Chairman, Mrs. Joy Brenda Mdivo, lauded LTWP’s contributions: “Lake Turkana Wind Power is evidence of progress for Kenya’s energy sector. It exemplifies the transformative power of public-private partnerships in delivering clean, affordable energy and driving sustainable development that directly benefits our citizens.”
LTWP Executive Chairman, George Njenga, emphasized the project’s holistic mission: “The 2024 Sustainability Report reveals LTWP’s commitment to powering Kenya’s future, not just with clean energy, but with tangible, positive impact. We are proud to showcase that we are empowering people and driving sustainable growth in Kenya.”
Willem Dolleman, Chairman of Winds of Change, highlighted LTWP as a model: “LTWP is a successful case study of how a project of this magnitude can impact community development, local employment, and environmental stewardship, actively shaping Kenya’s socio-economic landscape and propelling its ambitious green energy goals forward.”
With Kenya targeting a complete transition to green energy by 2030, LTWP’s proven track record in delivering reliable, low-cost renewable power and fostering sustainable community development positions it as a critical enabler of this national ambition. The project’s fixed-price Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with KPLC ensures long-term stability for Kenya’s grid.
– By Nusurah Nuhu
