Google has today announced its commitment to invest up to $40 (Sh4B) Million in Lake Turkana Wind Power Project.
Google will join a diverse group of international investors in the project, including the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. government’s development finance institution, and Vestas, which is also supplying the turbines for the wind farm. Google will purchase Vestas’ 12.5 per cent stake in Lake Turkana once it comes online, becoming the first US private investor to support the project.
Once operational, the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project will bring 310 megawatts of clean energy onto Kenya’s grid—enough to power more than two million households across the country.
“We are making a commitment to invest in Lake Turkana Wind Power Project because it makes financial sense and has the potential to have a massive impact on Kenya’s energy grid, helping to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in one of the world’s fastest-growing countries. We look forward to joining Vestas and others to help make the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project a reality and accelerate progress toward a future of clean energy,” said Joseph Mucheru, Google Energy Lead for Africa.
Globally, Google has committed more than $2 Billion to advance 22 clean energy projects. Last year, Google invested $12 million in the 96-MegaWatt solar photovoltaic plant dubbed The Jasper Power Project in South Africa.
“Since investing in the continent’s largest solar project, we’ve continued to see a big opportunity in fast-growing markets with rich renewable energy resources, where both the need and the potential are tremendous,” said Mucheru.
The growing appetite for renewable energy is partly driven by tax incentives tied to clean energy and demand for affordable, renewable energy to power demanding data centers, notes the Telegraph.
The construction of the Lake Turkana Wind Project at Loiyangalani in Marsabit County is expected to spur additional energy development in the region, and will be supported by construction of 266-mile transmission line.
The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project will generate an equivalent of 15 percent of Kenya’s current grid capacity.
