LAKE TURKANA WIND POWER

Promoter – Financial Intermediary

A group of private sector investors

Location

• Kenya

Description

Construction and operation of a 300 MW wind power plant near Lake Turkana, Kenya

Objectives

The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project involves the construction and operation of a 310 MW wind power plant. The wind farm design includes 365 turbines and ancillary infrastructure including a 33/200 kV substation. The project also includes approximately 200km rehabilitation of the existing road from Laisamis to the wind farm site. The project is located near Loiyangalani in Marsabit District, approximately 12 km east of Lake Turkana in northern Kenya in a sparsely populated desert area. In order to connect the wind farm to the grid, a 428 km long transmission line will be constructed to connect to the existing transmission infrastructure near Suswa. It is designed to allow for future development of geothermal resources and future onshore wind projects along its path. This project is being separately developed by the Kenyan transmission company KETRACO . The project will sell all its electrical output to the Kenya Power and Light Company Ltd. under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Comments

Sector(s)

• Energy - Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply

Proposed EIB finance (Approximate amount)

EUR 225 million

Total cost (Approximate amount)

EUR 613 million

Environmental aspects

If located within the EU, the wind farm would be classified by virtue of its technical characteristics as an Annex II project according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended. Thus, the requirement to carry out an EIA would be up to the discretion of the competent authorities. The high voltage transmission lines would be classified as Annex I, which would require a mandatory EIA. For both the wind farm and the transmission line, an ESIA has been performed and will be further analysed by the Bank. The project's environmental and social assessment procedures, including public consultation and stakeholder participation, shall comply with the Bank's environmental and social principles and standards.

Procurement

The project is considered a private sector operation not benefiting from special or exclusive rights. The procurement procedures are considered compliant with the EIB Guide to Procurement.

Status

Signed - 21/03/2014