The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved funds worth US$150mn for a wind power project in Kenyas Lake Turkana region
The project will add 300MW to the country's power generation capacity and will allow the landlocked Great Rift Valley region to be connected to the rest of the country through the improved infrastructure linked to the wind farm, including a road, fiber-optic cable and electrification.
The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project will include the construction and operation of the 300MW wind farm consisting of 365 turbines of 850kW capacity each.
The project will be implemented by Lake Turkana Wind Power, a special purpose vehicle, created in September 2006. Other investors in the project include Kemperman Paardekooper & Partners Africa, Aldwych International, Investment Fund for Developing Countries of Denmark, Norfund, and Vestas Wind Systems AS.
The project-related investments are expected to increase employment of local labour during the construction phase and upgrade the rural road network, significantly improving access to markets and business opportunities for the local communities.
Moreover, the project’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program will support investments in the local health facilities, potable water supply and school buildings.
It will also complement other transactions currently underway, which will be supported by the AfDB, including Thika Thermal Project and Menengai Geothermal Power.
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