“Kenya stands to save 120 million Euros of fuel imports as a result of shifting its electricity generation mix to include the power to be produced by LTWP,” he added.
The project will comprise 365 wind turbines (each with a capacity of 850 kilowatts), the associated overhead electric grid collection system and a high voltage substation.
The project also includes the upgrading of the existing road from Laisamis to the wind farm site, a distance of approximately 204km, as well as an access road network in and around the site for construction, operations and maintenance.
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (Ketraco), with concessional funding from the Spanish Government, is constructing a double circuit 400 kilovolt, 428 kilometre transmission line to deliver the LTWP electricity along with power from other future plants to the national grid.
Kibati emphasised that Kenya is set to further develop as the hub of trade and logistics in the Sub-Saharan Africa in line with the Vision 2030 outcomes for Kenya.
“The inclusion of a wind farm in Kenya increases the industrialisation efforts for Kenya, which are necessary to helping Kenya realize a middle-income status by 2030 by ensuring that there is access to reliable and cost-effective electricity,” he said.
“In addition, the project will bring numerous social and economic benefits to Kenya, which we as the Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat are totally committed to implementing,” he added.
