Kenya - Wind power project to boost energy supply

A wind power generation project could boost electricity supply to the country’s power grid by up to a quarter of the country’s needs.

The Sh49 billion venture between a British and local firm will be Kenya’s first serious foray into wind-power. It also represents one of the largest single foreign investments into the country, according to the Kenya Investment Authority (KIA). “The firm will be generating electricity which shall enhance the country’s capacity,” said Mwalimu Musee, head of investor services at KIA.

African Clean Energy, the British firm and Wind Flow, a local partner, will initially set up a wind farm in Marsabit to provide an alternate power source for the country. They will then sell the power they generate to KenGen for distribution into the local power grid. “A second phase of the project will see the development of a power transmission line from Marsabit to Isiolo, the cost of which will be announced at a later date,” said Mr Musee. Currently, country mainly relies on hydroelectric power that can be disrupted by unreliable rain patterns.

Wind will provide an alternative source for the country at a time when the national power distributor, Kenya Power and Lighting Company is on a recruitment drive to attract more customers to the national grid. Just eight per cent of the population has access to power, and as the Government pushes forward its promise to supply power to more citizens, alternative sources are expected to shore up supplies. Other countries have already gone for wind power as soaring oil prices and fears of climate change drive the need for less petroleum-based power sources.

Wind energy enhancement in over 70 countries around the world exceeded anticipated demand last year, growing by over 15,197 megawatts (MW), bringing global installed wind energy capacity to 74,223MW—a 25 per cent rise. “The tremendous growth shows that decision makers are starting to take seriously benefits that wind energy development can bring,” Mr Arthouros Zervos, the chairman of the Global Wind Energy Council, said on the group’s website.

Wind is the fastest growing source of electricity in the world, though it remains a minor player compared to more common fossil fuels and other alternatives such as geothermal, hydro and nuclear power. Wind power uses natural air movements to drive giant windmill blades, turning turbines that convert the kinetic energy into electrical power. Wind turbine sales are projected to rise from $25.1 billion to almost double that amount by 2011, according to research firm BTM Consult.

The US—the fastest growing wind power market—together with Canada is expected to soak up 30 per cent of that growth. The US installed a record number of turbines last year, with more than $3 billion in power-generating equipment installed in 22 states, according to the American Wind Energy Association. In Kenya, mobile service provider Safaricom Ltd, is among firms who have taken up wind power. It uses wind turbines to supply power to some of its base stations in remote areas that are off the national power grid.

“On average, the wind turbine produces a daily load of 40 kilowatts hours per-day,” said Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph. “This can be supplemented by a further 15 kilowatt hours per day from the back-up generator in case of low wind periods.” Its recent installation in Laisamis has enabled the mobile firm to extend its reach in the region.