Kisumu Solar Power Station
The Kisumu Power Station, also Kisumu One Solar Power Station, is a 40 MW (54,000 hp) solar power plant under development in Kenya. It is owned by Ergon Solair Africa (ESA), based in Nairobi, Kenya. ESA is a subsidiary of Ergon Solair PBC, an American independent power producer, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, United States. The off-taker is the national electricity distribution company, Kenya Power and Lighting Company, under a long-term power purchase agreement.[1][2]
Kisumu Solar Power Station | |
---|---|
Country | Kenya |
Location | Kibos, Kisumu, Kisumu County |
Coordinates | 00°04′20″S 34°48′54″E |
Status | Proposed |
Construction began | August 2023 |
Commission date | 2024 Expected |
Construction cost | US$52 million |
Owner(s) | Kisumu One Solar Limited |
Solar farm | |
Type | Flat-panel PV |
Site area | 249 hectares (620 acres) |
Power generation | |
Nameplate capacity | 40 MW (54,000 hp) |
Location
The power station would sit on 249 hectares (620 acres) of roadside land, in Kibos, an industrial neighborhood in the city of Kisumu, on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya.[1][3] Kibos is located approximately 8 kilometres (5 mi) northeast of the central business district of Kisumu City.[4]
Overview
The design calls for a ground-mounted solar farm, sitting on 249 hectares (620 acres), with capacity generation of 40 megawatts. Its output is to be sold directly to Kenya Power Limited for integration into the national grid. The power is to be evacuated to a 220 kV substation near the solar farm, where it will enter the grid. It is expected that this power station will add 105.3 MWh of electricity to the national grid annually.[1][5][6]
Developers
The table below illustrates the ownership of Kisumu One Solar Limited, the special purpose vehicle company that owns and is developing the solar farm.[5]
Rank | Shareholder | Domicile | Percentage | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ergon Solair Africa | Kenya | [5] | |
Construction costs and timeline
The construction costs have been reported as approximately US$64 million (about KSh. 7.6 billion in August 2022). Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2022. Commercial commissioning is anticipated in December 2023.[1] On 8 August 2022, Afrik21.africa, reported that construction of the power station had started.[7]
Other considerations
It has been reported that the PPA between Kenya Power and the owners of this power station will be at US$0.0575) for every 1kiloWatthour (1kWh)," basis.[5][6]
References
- Carmen (1 February 2022). "Kisumu Solar One PV Park, Kenya". Power-Technology.com. New York City. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (10 April 2020). "Kenya: Ergon Solair to build 40 MWp solar power plant in Kisumu". Paris, France. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- Angeline Ochieng (4 August 202). "Uhuru sets stage for Sh6bn US firm's investment in Kisumu solar plant". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- Google (4 August 2022). "Road Distance Between Kisumu, Kenya And Kibos, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- Jean Marie Takouleu (25 June 2022). "Kenya: Kisumu solar power plant (40 MWp) to be operational by December 2023". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- Construction Review Online (14 August 2021). "40MWp solar power plant to be set up in Kisumu, Kenya". Construction Review Online. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- Benoit-Ivan Wansi (8 August 2022). "Kenya: Construction of the Kisumu solar photovoltaic power plant (40 MWp) begins". Afrik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 8 August 2022.