Kipeto Wind Power Station

The Kipeto Wind Power Station, also Kajiado Wind Power Project, is a 100 megawatts (130,000 hp) wind-powered electricity power station in Kenya. It is the second-largest wind farm in the country, behind the 310 megawatts Lake Turkana Wind Power Station.[1]

Kipeto Wind Power Station
Location of Kipeto Wind Power Station in Kenya
CountryKenya
LocationKiserian, Kajiado County
Coordinates01°43′09″S 36°41′40″E
StatusOperational
Commission date25 January 2021
Owner(s)Kipeto Energy Limited
Thermal power station
Primary fuelWind power
Wind farm
Type
Power generation
Nameplate capacity100 megawatts (130,000 hp)
External links
Websitekipetoenergy.co.ke

Location

The Kipeto Power Station is located in the foothills of Ngong Hills, in Kajiado County, approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi), by road, south of Nairobi, the capital and largest city in the country.[2] The geographical coordinates of Kipeto Wind Farm are 01°43'09.0"S, 36°41'40.0"E (Latitude:-1.719167; Longitude:36.694444).[3]

Overview

The power station was originally owned by a consortium of investors, financiers and interest groups, including the International Finance Corporation. 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]

The power station comprises 60 General Electric turbines, each rated at 1.7 megawatts.[1] The wind farm, which sits on 70 square kilometres (27 sq mi) received insurance coverage from African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI), covering the owner against late payments or no payments for energy supplied.[6]

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 this reference.[7] As of December 2018, 88 percent shareholding in Kipeto Energy Limited was owned by BTE Renewables of South Africa.[5] In July 2023 Meridiam of France acquired that that ownership.[8]

Kipeto Energy Limited Stock Ownership After 3 July 2023
RankShareholderDomicilePercentage Ownership
1MeridiamFrance
88.00
2Craftskills Wind Energy InternationalKenya
12.00
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. 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.[9][7] 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.[10]

Commercial operations

The power station began commercial operations in July 2021. The energy generated is purchased by Kenya Power and Lighting Company, under a 20-year power purchase agreement. The power is evacuated from the wind farm via a 220kV transmission line to a substation at Isinya, where it enters the national electricity grid. The total cost of this development is reported to be US$344 million. OPIC lent US$233 million and BTE Renewables, raised the remaining US$111 million.[11]

See also

References
  1. Babalwa Bungane (25 January 2021). "100MW Kipeto wind farm connects to Kenya's power grid". South Africa: ESI-Africa. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  2. Google (15 June 2021). "Road Distance Between Nairobi, Kenya And Oloyangalani, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  3. Google (15 June 2021). "Location of Kipeto Wind Power Station, Kajiado County, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  4. "Kenya Power signs 100MW wind energy purchase deal with US firm". Business Daily Africa. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  5. Okoth, Edwin (18 December 2018). "Actis closes Kipeto Wind power financing deal". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  6. Jean Marie Takouleu (27 September 2019). "Kenya: ATI agency insures Actis's wind project in Kipeto against unpaid bills". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  7. John Gachiri (29 January 2016). "China firm wins Sh22.6 billion tender to build Kipeto wind power plant". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  8. Jean Marie Takouleu (3 July 2023). "Africa: Engie and Meridiam acquire renewable energy producer BTE". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  9. "American giant GE to supply wind turbines for 100MW Kipeto plant". Energy Siren. 2018-12-18. Archived from the original on 2019-02-21. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
  10. Presidential Security Communications Unit (PSCU) (27 August 2018). "Kenya Inks Sh23 Billion Deals With US Firm". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  11. Jean Marie Takouleu (6 July 2021). "Kenya: Kipeto Wind Farm (100 MW) Starts Commercial Operations". Afik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
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