Kajiado Wind Power Station
The proposed Kajiado Wind Power Station, also Kipeto Wind Power Project, is a potential 100 megawatts (130,000 hp) wind-powered electricity power station in Kenya.[1]
| Kajiado Wind Power Station | |
|---|---|
Location of Kajiado Wind Power Station in Kenya | |
| Country | Kenya |
| Location | Kiserian, Kajiado County |
| Coordinates | 01°26′40″S 36°39′15″E |
| Status | Planned |
| Commission date | TBD (Expected) |
| Owner(s) | Kipeto Energy Limited |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Wind power |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 100 megawatts (130,000 hp) |
Location
The power station would be located in the foothills of Ngong Hills, in Kajiado County, approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi), by road, southwest of Nairobi, the capital and largest city in the country.[2]
Overview
The power station was originally owned by a consortium of investors, financiers and interest groups, including the International Finance Corporation, and a local community trust.[3] In July 2015, Kipeto Energy Limited, the owner/operator of the power station, signed a renewable 20 year power purchase agreement with Kenya Power, the national electricity distributor and retailer.[4] In December 2018, Actis Capital of the United Kingdom, acquired majority shareholding in the special purpose vehicle company, for an undisclosed sum.[5]
Ownership
Kipeto Energy Limited (KEL) is the special purpose vehicle created by the consortium of shareholders, to construct, operate and manage the power station. The shareholding in KEL, before December 2018, was as depicted in the table below:[6]
| Rank | Name of Owner | Percentage Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | African Infrastructure Investment Fund II | 55.0 |
| 2 | Craftskills Wind Energy International Limited | 20.0 |
| 3 | International Finance Corporation | 20.0 |
| 4 | Kipeto Local Community Trust | 05.0 |
| Total | 100.00 | |
As of December 2018, the shareholding in Kipeto Energy Limited is as illustrated in the table below.[5]
| Rank | Name of Owner | Percentage Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Actis Capital LLP of the United Kingdom | 88.0 |
| 2 | Craftskills Wind Energy International of Kenya | 12.0 |
| Total | 100.00 | |
Construction and financing
In January 2016, KEL contracted the Chinese company "China Machinery Engineering Corporation" to perform engineering design, procurement and construction (EPC) of the wind farm, at a contract price of KSh22.6 billion (approx. US$225 million). The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) has committed to lend $233 million (Sh24 billion) towards this project. The American conglomerate General Electric Wind Energy, was contracted in December 2018 to supply 60 GE 1.7-103 wind turbines for the power station.[7][6] In August 2018, the Kipeto Wind Energy Company, represented by Kenneth Namunje and Overseas Private Investment Corporation, represented by Ray Washburne, signed a definitive loan agreement for US$237, from OPIC to Kipeto Energy for the construction of this power station. The ceremony, that took place in Washington DC on 27 August 2017, was witnessed by Uhuru Kenyatta, the president of Kenya and Wilbur Ross, the United States secretary of commerce.[1]
See also
- List of power stations in Kenya
- List of power stations in Africa
- List of power stations
- Energy in Kenya
References
- Presidential Security Communications Unit (PSCU) (27 August 2018). "Kenya Inks Sh23 Billion Deals With US Firm". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- GFC (28 January 2016). "Distance between Nairobi, Kenya and Kiserian, Kajiado, Kenya". Globefeed.com (GFC). Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- Omondi, George (20 November 2013). "Kajiado wind power farm gets Sh17 billion boost". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- "Kenya Power signs 100MW wind energy purchase deal with US firm". Business Daily Africa. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Okoth, Edwin (18 December 2018). "Actis closes Kipeto Wind power financing deal". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- Gachiri, John (29 January 2016). "China firm wins Sh22.6 billion tender to build Kipeto wind power plant". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- "American giant GE to supply wind turbines for 100MW Kipeto plant". Energy Siren. 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2019-03-16.