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100MW Kipeto wind farm connects to Kenya’s power grid Kenya’s Kipeto wind power project has officially been connected to the national grid set to commence genating power in the next week. Kipeto Energy Plc (KEP) made the announcement ad said that they have connected a 17km (220KV) high voltage transmission line, linking the facility to the national grid at the Isinya Substation, and signalling the start of the go-live process. The project’s 60 GE 1.7-103 wind turbines, each capable of producing 1.7MW, will be switched on in stages as part of a gradual ramp-up process, with all commercial tests due to be concluded within the next few months. The wind farm project located in Kajiado County is Kenya’s second-largest wind power project after Turkana wind farm. It is part of the Power Africa initiative aimed at promoting access to electricity and the development of renewable energies with the objective of total capacity of 30,000 MW. Power Africa initiative was launched by former US President Barack Obama. The Kipeto project reached financial close in December of 2018, marking the beginning of its two-year construction phase. The project is funded by equity from Actis-backed BioTherm Energy (88%) and Kenyan company Craftskills Ltd (12%) alongside senior debt from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the US Government’s development finance institution. It has a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with KPLC, and once it is at full capacity, Kipeto will generate 100MW of clean wind energy for the Kenyan people, providing power to the equivalent of approximately 250,000 households. This will be a significant contribution to Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Big Four Agenda. More than 800 jobs were created during the construction phase of the project and an additional 60 permanent jobs are anticipated during the operational phase. Around 200 families are expected to benefit directly from the turbine revenue located on their land, with the company establishing a Community Trust to oversee further distribution of profits to the wider local area.

renewable Energy

100MW Kipeto wind farm connects to Kenya’s power grid

Anita Anyango - Jan 25, 2021 1