Ruto sells part of Turkana wind power to a US company
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Ruto sells part of Africa's largest wind power (Turkana) to a US company, Milele Energy, with expansion plans
Ruto sells part of Africa’s largest wind power (Turkana) to a US company, Milele Energy, with expansion plans.
Ruto made the announcement while speaking with delegates at the American Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Summit on Thursday, March 30in Nairobi.
According to Ruto, a lot of forward-thinking businesses relocated to Kenya to take advantage of the nation’s green energy industry, which has significant growth potential in this priority sector.
Lake Turkana Wind Power Project (LTWP) is one of the largest in Africa. In 2022, it produced over 20 percent of Kenya’s electricity.
The Ksh90 billion (USD682) initiative was introduced by President (Rtd), Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2019.
“Kenya is a global leader in clean energy solutions. US companies are big investors in Kenya and East Africa’s off-grid sector, with over 40 percent market share. These companies are providing millions of people access to the life-changing benefits of power.
“In the past year, these companies have provided more than 860,000 Kenyans access to off-grid connections and worked with industry leaders to raise more than Ksh16 billion (USD120 million) for the sector’s development. US company d.light alone will support at least an additional 600,000 households to access clean energy solutions,” Ruto stated.
According to reports from 2021, delays in linking the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) to the national grid cost taxpayers Ksh18 billion.
The main reason for the compensation was attributed to a 381-day delay in finishing the 428 km high-voltage power line from Marsabit to the Suswa substation in Narok.
Ruto added that Symbion Power, an additional US company, was finalizing an agreement to build a geothermal facility in the Rift Valley.
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“I am also delighted that plans are moving forward for Kipeto 3, a new 50-megawatt grid-connected wind power plant with an integrated battery storage component,” he announced.
The deals came when the government was under pressure to regulate the energy sector and lower electricity prices.
As of April 1, 2023, electricity prices will increase by up to 63 percent, after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) reviewed rates on Friday, March 24.
Consumers using 30 units and below will pay Ksh12 per unit from Ksh10, while those using eleven and ten units will pay Ksh15.80 per unit, according to EPRA.
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