This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
Africa's Largest Wind Power Project Launched in Kenya ¶
On July 20, 2018, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta officially commissioned Africa's largest wind power project in Marsabit county.
The project, known as the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP), is a 365-turbine wind farm located on the eastern shores of Lake Turkana.
With a maximum capacity of 310.25 megawatts, the project will deliver 15% of the country's energy needs, saving Kenya KSh 1 billion annually in fuel imports used to generate electricity.
The project was delayed for 15 months due to financing and land compensation issues, but it has finally been connected to the national grid.
President Kenyatta said the windmills will now deliver 15% of the country's energy needs, and the project has been hailed as a major milestone in Kenya's transition to renewable energy.
The project was financed by the government and the Spanish government, and it has been closely watched as a case study of investing in renewables in Africa.
Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) indicated that the country will save KSh 1 billion annually in fuel imports used to generate electricity thanks to the new project.
The LTWP project board Chairman Mugo Kibati said high economic growth is expected to be witnessed along the areas the transmission line passes through.
