Kenya’s Kipeto Wind farm connects to national grid

Kenyan renewable energy company Kipeto Energy Plc (KEP), has connected the 100MWp Kipeto wind farm to the national grid and will start generating power in the coming week. The wind power facility is located in Kajiado county, Kipeto is Kenya’s second largest wind power project. It connects to the national grid via a 17km (220KV) high voltage transmission line which links to the Isinya Substation.

The facility’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 project will supply power to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) under a 20 year power purchase agreement (PPA). Once the wind farm starts operating 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 is in alignment with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Big Four Agenda.

The project was funded through 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.

Around 800 jobs were created during the construction phase of the project and an additional 60 permanent jobs are anticipated during the operational phase.

An estimated 200 families are expected to benefit directly from the turbine revenue located on their land. The company established a community trust to oversee further distribution of profits to the wider local area.

Dr Kenneth Namunje, chairman and director of Kipeto Energy Plc commented: “First and foremost I would like to thank the local community for their ongoing support of this project, which has been paramount from day one. Now, with the assistance of KPLC and Ketraco, we’re delighted that this final connection and energisation sees the transmission line and associated equipment being handed over this week to KPLC for future care and operation.”

Robert Skjodt, CEO of BioTherm Energy also commented: “We are proud to have completed the construction of the Kipeto wind project to the highest standards with strong support from our engineering and construction partners from Worley, China Machinery and Engineering Company and GE, as well as the local community to maintain strict safety protocols throughout construction. We are excited to be contributing to Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals and Big Four Agenda and demonstrating that solar and wind are cheaper sources of electricity than traditional fossil fuel-based power plants with a significant positive impact in the local communities.”