EIB funds Kenya wind farm
25 March 2014
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved funding worth € 200 million (US$ 275 million) to Kenya to support the Lake Turkana Wind Power project.
The € 600 million (US$ 825 million) power project is the largest single wind farm in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lake Turkana is expected to generate 20% of Kenya’s power and provide 300 MW of reliable, low cost wind power to the Kenyan national grid.
The project, located in remote northern Kenya, is the largest private investment in Kenya and includes 365 wind turbines, each capable of generating 850 kW, as well as associated power and road connections.
Once the Lake Turkana Wind Power project is complete it is expected that Kenya will benefit from fewer power shortages and electricity 60% cheaper than thermal power plants.
The 162 km2 site in Marsabit County where the Lake Turkana Wind Power project is being built benefits from some of the most consistent winds in Africa because of daily temperature fluctuations and the valley between the Mt. Kulal and Mt. Nyiru ranges.
