Kipeto wind farm reaches commercial operation in Kenya
Kenya, Kiserian: All of the 60 turbines at the Kipeto wind farm reached commercial operation in the first week of July and are now producing power to the grid.
Image source: ESI Africa
Kenya, Kiserian: All of the 60 turbines at the Kipeto wind farm reached commercial operation in the first week of July and are now producing power to the grid.
This makes the project Kenya’s second-largest wind power project providing power to the equivalent of approximately 250,000 households.
Dr Kenneth Namunje, Chairman and Director of Kipeto Energy Plc and Director of Craftskills, commented: “Today is a proud day for Kipeto and the local community of Kajiado as we enter into commercial operation after a 12-year journey.”
The announcement was made by Pan-African developer BTE Renewables and Kenyan-owned renewable developer Craftskills. Kipeto is BTE Renewables’ fifth project to reach commercial operations in the last year, now having 384 MW in operations in Kenya and South Africa.
The Kipeto wind farm project reached financial close in December of 2018, connected to the grid in January 2021 and has now reached commercial operation with all 60 wind turbines under the 20 year Power Purchase Agreement with Kenyan utility, KPLC. The project is funded by equity from Actis-backed BTE Renewables (88 %) and Kenyan-owned Craftskills Limited (12 %). The senior debt is from the US International Development Finance Corporation, the US Government’s development finance institution.
The African Trade Insurance Agency is providing an on-demand insurance product for the project. Kipeto has further partnered with USAID Power Africa in developing its Biodiversity Action Plan.
Robert Skjodt, CEO of BTE Renewables, commented: “The completion of Kipeto is a testament to the strong and spirited resilience of the Kipeto team, and the support and dedication of our engineering and construction partners Worley, China Machinery and Engineering Company and GE.
Source: ESI Africa