Global information technology (IT) giant Google is set to invest in Kenya’s Lake Turkana wind power (LTWP) project as part of its efforts to promote clean energy in developing nations.
The company is backing the project with a $40-million investment for a 12.5% stake. The investment will be undertaken when the plant, Africa’s largest wind farm, with a capacity of 300 MW, is operational.
“Kenya is one of the fastest-growing economies but it’s being held back owing to a lack of power despite having wonderful renewable resources. “The country can meet growing energy needs by tapping into renewable resources,” says Google director of energy and sustainability Rick Needham.
The investment by Google is expected to give the LTWP project a much-needed confidence boost, owing to the fact that the project has experienced significant delays as a result of funding constraints.
Following more than five years of delays, the project had a financial breakthrough last year, when a consortium of financiers led by the African Development Bank put up $870-million.
Google energy lead for Africa Joseph Mucheru says the IT giant is investing in the project owing to the impact it will have on Kenya’s efforts to accelerate investments in renewable energy to drive development.
“We look forward to joining Vestas and others to help make the LTWP project a reality and accelerate progress towards a future of clean energy,” he notes.
When completed in 2017, the project will provide clean energy to power two-million homes, about 15% of the capacity of Kenya’s power grid.
The LTWP project comprises 365 wind turbines (each with a capacity of 850 kW) and the associated overhead electric grid collection system, as well as a high-voltage substation.
Power generated at the farm will be evacuated by a 400 kV high-voltage transmission line that is already being constructed by the Kenya government at a cost of $208-million.
Google’s investment in the LTWP project is the latest in a long list of projects, where the company has pumped resources into clean energy projects totalling a staggering $2-billion and generating 2.5 GW of power across the globe.
Two years ago, Google invested $12-million in the 96 MW Jasper power project, a solar photovoltaic plant in South Africa.
Kenya has shifted its power generation focus to renewable sources like geothermal, wind and hydropower as it targets to expand installed capacity to 5 000 MW by 2017. Currently, wind power accounts for only 1% of the country’s energy mix.