Vestas receives order for largest wind power plant in Africa

With reference to Vestas Wind Systems A/S’ company announcement No. 45/2014 of 11 December 2014, Vestas has received a firm and unconditional order in Kenya for 365 V52-850 kW turbines corresponding to 310 MW. The order was placed by Lake Turkana Wind Power Ltd. and is expected to be Africa’s largest wind power plant when complete. The wind power plant will save Kenya approximately EUR 150m in fuel imports every year.

The order comprises supply, installation, and commissioning of the wind turbines as well as a 15-year Active Output Management (AOM 4000) service agreement. The logistically complex project is expected to be complete in 2017.  

“We are very pleased to continue this great journey with Vestas as we progress toward our aim of reducing Kenya’s need for hydro and expensive fossil fuel-based power generation. We want to ensure that Kenya has access to low and consistent power prices, and with the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, we can do that,” says Mugo Kibati, Chairman of Lake Turkana Wind Power Ltd.  

“Lake Turkana Wind Power Ltd. has made a historic commitment to a clean energy future for Kenya, and we are very proud to play an active role in bringing to life Africa’s largest wind power plant,” says Christoph Vogel, President of Vestas Central Europe. “Eastern and southern Africa are key markets for Vestas, and the Lake Turkana project will establish Kenya among the continent’s wind energy leaders.”  

Ideal for wind power
With average wind speeds in excess of 11 m/s, the Lake Turkana project will add 310 MW of clean, reliable electricity capacity to the Kenyan national grid. The project will generate more than 1,400 GWh of power per year, equivalent to approximately 15 per cent of the country’s current electricity consumption. Located approximately 1,200 km from the Kenyan port of Mombasa and requiring the building more than 420 km of transmission lines to reach the Kenyan national electricity grid, the Lake Turkana project is expected to become Africa’s largest wind farm upon completion. 

About Lake Turkana, Kenya
The project site is at an elevation of 450m, near the shore of Lake Turkana. The area around the site has a unique geographical phenomenon with strong, predictable wind streams between the desert hinterland and Lake Turkana. The project site was selected for its world-class wind resources as well as its sparse population. 

Learn more about Lake Turkana Wind Power Ltd. by visiting www.ltwp.co.ke