The 40 MW Kesses solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, in Kenya, which was built at a cost of $87-million, is now operational.

The plant was developed by Private Infrastructure Development Group company, the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), in partnership with the Standard Bank Group acting through Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Stanbic Bank Kenya and its project partner Alten Kenya Solarfarms.

The project created about 400 construction jobs and will employ 15 local people now that it is in operation.

The solar plant is located near Eldoret, which has the largest population concentration in Kenya’s Rift Valley province. The town is a centre for local government, higher education, business and financial services, textile manufacturing, agribusiness and sports tourism. By supplying clean, renewable power to Eldoret and the surrounding communities, Kesses is driving a significant boost in productivity for the local economy.

All of the electricity generated by the plant is being delivered to the national grid through a 20-year take-or-pay power purchase agreement between Alten and national energy utility Kenya Power and Lighting Company.

Kesses is a significant milestone for EAIF, which has now supported green electricity generation in nine African countries. The fund is approaching 1 000 MW renewable generation capacity across its portfolio.

“We are thrilled to see Kesses in action, further cementing Kenya’s status as a global renewable energy leader. Africa leads the world in solar energy potential and more projects of this type are needed to ensure we meet the continent’s growing demand for energy without compromising greenhouse-gas emission [reductions]," says EAIF fund manager Ninety One investment specialist Sine Zulu.

“Projects such as Kesses will push the country towards achieving 100% clean energy generation by 2030, helping sustain Kenya’s economic progress and accelerate recovery from pandemic-induced losses, global supply chain disruption and rising inflation. This contributes to a more sustainable and inclusive future for the region,” adds Alten asset management head Jorge Hernández Moro.