Turkana wind power supply starts 2016

The Lake Turkana wind power project will start generating power next year, Denmark Foreign Affairs minister Kristian Jensen said yesterday.

The project, funded by the Danish government, will contribute 310 Megawatts of wind energy to the national grid.

Jensen spoke at the World Trade Organization conference at KICC, Nairobi.

The project will use 365 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 850KW.

It will provide 17 per cent of the country’s current electricity generating capacity.

The Sh70 billion project will save Kenya Sh18 billion through fuel displacement costs.

A saving of 13 million tonnes on carbon dioxide emissions is expected.

“This is a truly green growth-investment that can significantly change the energy landscape in Kenya and greatly contribute to Kenya’s objective to achieving 5,000 Megawatts by 2017,” Jensen said.

“It is good business for Kenya and good business for Denmark as well because the Danish company Vestas is providing the wind turbines for the project.”

Clean energy will provide a better environment for Kenyans as set out in Vision 2030, the minister said.

Jensen took the opportunity to launch Radisson Blu Hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi, which is 26 per cent Danish owned.

He described the hotel as one with Nordic architecture and “standard modern calm and a result-oriented atmosphere.”

“This sets it apart from other hotels in the city and provides balance,” Jensen said.