KenGen Commissions its First Wind Farm in Kenya

Kenya, rated as one of the biggest economy among the east African countries, is a poor electric power producing country. The country currently produces only 1,350 MW of hydro electric power from its dams that rely on good annual rain fall.

Kiraitu Murungi, Energy Minister of Kenya, has recently inaugurated the 5.1 MW wind farm at Ngong Hills. Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), the main power producing company of the country owns the wind farm. The minister said that KenGen is planning to add 20.4 MW power during its expansion. He concluded saying that the country is taking steps to raise the power production capability to 3,000 MW by the year 2013, which includes an additional 500 MW of power generation from clean energy sources.

The wind farm supposed to be the first commercial project of the country received funding from Belgium for its construction. Vestas a Danish wind company was chosen as the main contractor for the supply of wind turbines, their installation and extending grid connectivity. Eddy Njoroge, Managing Director of KenGen, said that the expansion of the wind farm will be funded by Spain and Belgium. He added that his company is looking for opportunities to sell carbon credits generated by the project. He further said that the project will be completed utilizing two separate contracts of 13.6 MW and 6.8 MW. He concluded saying that KenGen has entered into an accord with HydroChina International to conduct a viability study for the installation of a 50 MW wind farm in the Ngong Hills.