Africa’s largest wind farm, the Lake Turkana Wind Power project, has been officially launched. The Kenyan project is aimed at reducing electricity costs and dependence on fossil fuels and moving the nation to meet its ambitious goal of 100% green energy.
The wind farm which consists of 365 turbines on the shores of Lake Turkana in northern Kenya is expected to produces up to 310MW and supply 13% more electricity to the national grid. Each one of the 365 turbines has a capacity of 85kw. Kenya is currently at the top when it comes to renewable energy as the country already generates 70% of its energy from sources such as wind power, hydropower, and geothermal power.
According to President Uhuru Kenyatta during the launch of the wind farm, Kenya is without a doubt on a course to be a global leader in renewable energy. “This will not only ensure that our nation’s scenic beauty and unique ecosystems are preserved and protected for both present and future generations, but will also ensure that we become energy independent and that our energy supply will be safe as well as predictable,” he said.
This is in line with the country’s aim of producing 100% of its energy from renewable energy by 2020. The Wind Farm is a private consortium that is run by a group of companies under the name Lake Turkana Wind Power Project. It cost Sh80.4 billion ($775 million) to develop, and was funded by the African Development Bank, East African Development Bank, European Investment Fund, Nedbank Capital, Norfund. According to Mugo Kibati, chairman of the Lake Turkana Wind Power, the launch marked an important milestone in the country’s steady march towards achieving self-sufficiency in power production.
The wind power project is expected to bring down electricity costs and increase energy access in areas that lack electricity.
