KenGen has set up plans on developing the Marsabit Wind Power Plant, second largest wind power plant in Kenya that will possess a capacity of 200 Megawatts. This is a part of the efforts of the firm to totally green the national grid by the year 2030. KenGen revealed this information after completion of the consultations with the local communities in the county of Marsabit over land acquisition for the multi-billion wind power plant.
This Marsabit Wind Power Plant is set to become the second largest in Kenya after the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) which possesses a capacity of 310 Megawatts. The energy producing institution is in pursuit of attaining a clean electricity grid by the time 2030 reaches and is looking forward to an increased power generation from renewable sources of energy like wind and geothermal in order to do away with the existing dirty thermal plants whose electricity cost is quite expensive.
Marsabit Wind Power Plant Project Commencement Date
The construction works shall commence its construction works in the year 2026.. The Marsabit Wind Power Project has initially targeted at 100 Megawatts but they opted to upgrade its capacity to 200 Megawatts after the conduction of the feasibility studies. The first phase will generate 200 Megawatts and the power generation is set to increase into other three phases of the wind power project.
The French funding agency, Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) has shown interest in providing financial support to the Marsabit Wind Power Plant project whose construction cost has not been revealed yet. Currently, the Lake Turkana Wind Power project is the largest wind power plant in Africa and Kenya. In addition the plant was connected to the national grid in the year 2018. This upcoming Marsabit wind power plant is expected to overtake LTWP as its power generation is expected to be at 800 Megawatts when phase four is completed. This upcoming wind farm alongside the geothermal and hydro plants are expected to increase sales of electricity to Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).
