Kenya Electricity Generating Co. (KenGen), the East African nation’s main power producer, plans to build a 1,000 megawatt (MW) wind farm, which would be the continent’s biggest such facility.
The project is part of Kenya’s ambitious goal to increase its renewable energy capacity to 100% by 2030. Currently, about 92% of Kenya’s generating capacity comes from renewables such as hydroelectric dams and geothermal.
The new wind farm is expected to be located in the Turkana region of northwestern Kenya, which has some of the best wind resources in the country. The project is estimated to cost around US$2 billion and is expected to be completed by 2027.
The wind farm is expected to create thousands of jobs and boost the local economy. It will also help to reduce Kenya’s reliance on fossil fuels and improve its air quality.
The new wind farm will be more than twice the size of Kenya’s current largest wind farm, the Ngong Hills Wind Power Station, which has a capacity of 50 MW. It is expected to generate enough electricity to power over 1 million homes. The project is being supported by a number of international partners, including the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
Kenya’s renewable energy ambitions
Kenya is one of the leading countries in Africa in terms of renewable energy development. The country has a number of advantages that make it well-suited for developing renewable energy, including abundant solar and wind resources, as well as geothermal resources.
The Kenyan government has set a number of ambitious renewable energy targets. In addition to the goal of increasing renewable energy capacity to 100% by 2030, the government also aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix to 70% by 2025.
The Kenyan government is supporting the development of renewable energy through a number of policies and initiatives. For example, the government has introduced a number of tax breaks and subsidies for renewable energy projects. The government is also working to improve the infrastructure needed to support the development of renewable energy, such as transmission lines and substations.
Kenya’s plans to build Africa’s biggest wind farm are a significant step forward for the country’s renewable energy ambitions. The project will help Kenya to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, improve its air quality, and create jobs. It will also serve as a model for other African countries that are looking to develop their renewable energy sectors.
