General Electric (GE) has been awarded a contract to supply 38 wind turbines of 1.6 MW each, for the upcoming Kinangop wind farm in Kenya
The 61 MW wind farm project is being developed by Aeolus Kenya. Iberdrola Engineering is the main contractor for this venture.
GE has signed an agreement with the developers of the project to provide operation and maintenance services for 10 years. The company said it would also train local technicians for the project.
The company’s European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) renewable energy general manager, Cliff Harris, said, “We are pleased to make our debut in the Kenyan power sector. GE’s advanced wind technology will help provide cost-effective power to the economy and contribute towards social development.”
Following its commissioning, the Kinangop wind farm is expected to generate electricity that can power up to 150,000 homes in Kenya.
According to a recent Africa report by KEMA consultants, over the last six years, electricity demand in Kenya has increased by an average of seven per cent per annum. This demand is expected to increase 12.8 per cent per annum to touch 92 terra-watt hours by 2030.
Iberdrola Engineering said, “The Kinangop wind farm project strengthens our presence in Africa, particularly in Kenya. GE's turbines are a great fit for Kenya’s robust wind conditions, and for the advancements in serviceability and grid integration.”
Aeolus Kenya chief executive officer Richard Herbert said, “The development of this large-scale wind park has been a challenging and rewarding process. All our efforts have yielded a positive outcome for Kenya.”
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