JANUARY 2019
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Lake Turkana Wind Power Winds Of Change
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LAKE TURKANA WIND POWER
WINDS OF CHANGE The Lake Turkana Wind Power project is a showcase publicprivate partnership (PPP) between the Kenyan government and the Lake Turkana Wind Power Limited, that was developed by KP&P Africa B.V and Aldwych International, who first partnered up on the project in 2009. It has also received additional investment and support from the Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), Vestas Eastern Africa Limited, Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation Ltd, KLP Norfund Investments AS and Sandpiper. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
LAKE TURKANA WIND POWER
It is the single largest investment in Kenya’s history. As
the project is now operational, we took a look to see how this sustainable project plans to positively impact the country and its people.
L
ocated in Loiyangalani District, Marsabit County, the Lake Turkana Wind Power project has 365 wind turbines. Each of these 365 turbines has a capacity of 850kW – that’s
310.25MW in total. This power is then stepped-up at a high voltage substation that, in turn, delivers the power to the Kenyan National Grid. Roughly, the farm will provide around 17% of the country’s capacity – that’s a sizable portion to have provided from such a clean and sustainable source. As well as being sustainable, the farm’s supply of power is reliable, and comes through at a low cost, which passes its advantages on to the country at large. LTWP sells the power generated to the Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd at a fixed price. The impressive project covers 40,000 acres, of which less than 87.5 are used for the company’s facilities. There are two fenced areas, which are: the substation, for health and safety purposes; and the workers’ accommodation, for security reasons. The rest of the land is open-access, which allows the land to be used by the local nomadic population – an essential consideration for any project covering large areas of land in Kenya. The nomadic people in the area are able to use the project’s land to settle on, graze their livestock and access water. Because of this, only the station’s facilities themselves are fenced off, but the rest of the land is open and free to access.
LAKE TURKANA WIND POWER The site itself, a 12-hour drive from Nairobi, has a varied
services provided by health centres and has led to an increased
topography that stretches from the foot slopes of Mt Kulal to the
number of patients visiting these facilities. Alone the provision of
south-eastern end of Lake Turkana. It was an area selected for its
electricity at the health centres mentioned above has led to more
strong yet predictable low-wind streams existing between the lake
women giving birth at the facilities rather than at home, because
and the desert; producing the strong wind that the project seeks
patients can now be attended to at night. This has contributed to
to harness.
reducing the risks associated with infant and maternal mortality.
In 2017, the last of the turbines were erected, and in September
Due to the arid nature of Marsabit, water is a scarce commodity.
of 2018, the farm went into operation, after 13 years of planning
To address this challenge, WoC has spearheaded the rehabilitation/
following the completion of the Transmission Infrastructure.
construction of several water boreholes and water supply points
As well as being a boon to the country because of its
in, but not limited to, Arge, Laga el Fereji, Gatab, Ntil, Lonjorin,
sustainable, reliable and affordable energy, the community benefits
Larachi, Sarima, Illaut and Olturot. The project in Arge alone has
directly from its existence. Apart from a being able to access and
led to approximately 3,000 people now being able to access water
use the land on which the wind farm sits, LTWP has also created
within their village rather than having to complete a daily roundtrip
initiatives such as the Winds of Change Foundation (WoC), which
of 28km to obtain water. By providing easier access to water, more
the project funds in order for it to help improve livelihoods in the
time is freed up for other daily duties, e.g. attendance to school by
area. It is expected that, over the twenty-year projected life of the
children who are often sent to collect water.
project, WoC will directly contribute around €10 million to the area in addition to seeking additional funding from various donors. WoC has been active since June 2015 with the objective to help improve local livelihoods in the wider wind farm area by implementing and funding community development projects that improve and enhance access to education, health and water. For example, since 2015, WoC has built various school facilities, including a laboratory at Nyiro Girls Secondary School and at Korole Boys Secondary School, two classrooms at the new Loiyangalani Youth Polytechnic, an extension to the facilities of Sarima Primary School, a dormitory at Nyiro Boys Secondary School as well as install a solar system at Mt. Kulal Girls Secondary School. The laboratories at Nyiro Girls and Korole Boys Secondary Schools make a real difference to students, as these facilities provide a space for them to be able to observe and undertake science experiments before attempting to do so during national examinations. This alone is expected to help improve the academic results of these students, as they will have had an opportunity to practice science experiments before sitting their exams. Health indicators, such as maternal and infant mortality, are extremely poor in the wider project area. A contributing factor is that health centres are poorly equipped and often lack necessities such as access to power, water, medicine or even basic furniture like maternity beds and shelving/storage units. WoC has worked with several health centres to address some of these shortcomings, e.g. by installing solar systems at Laisamis Hospital and the dispensaries in Lontolio, Illaut, Sarima and Buri Aramia. In addition to installing a solar system at Buri Aramia dispensary, WoC also constructed shelving units, connected the facility to an existing borehole, installed a fridge freezer for keeping vaccinations cool, constructed two toilets, supplied maternity beds and constructed an incinerator. Activities such as these significantly improve the quality of the
As the Foundation says; “WoC works in partnership with the county government, local leaders, NGO’s, CBO’s and government departments in implementing negotiated activities to ensure
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optimal stakeholder engagement, participation and ownership. WoC aims to catalyse positive sustainable development to enhance livelihoods in the areas surrounding the wind farm. It is anticipated that the planned social investment activities will enable LTWP and its project partners to become trusted partners in development with the local community around the wind farm and the larger Laisamis constituency.” All of WoC’s projects are located in Laisamis constituency in Marsabit County. These are all exciting projects, but just as exciting is the Lake Turkana Wind Power project itself; a long time in the making, now that this vast farm is up and running, it is bound to make a real difference to Kenya, both in the short term, and also hopefully in the long term of the country’s approach to its power needs.
The power Siemens SAS France performed in Kenya essential electrical transmission grid substations ie Embakasi, Rabai, Suswa and Loiyangalani for KETRACO.
We are very proud to be part of expending electrical network with the construction of LAKE TURKANA wind farm grid connection Loiyangalani substation.
Intelligent and digitally m Siemens applies its unrivalled in-house Project Management excellence to guarantee the deliverables with a “zero-injury” approach thanks to a robust Health & Safety process placed at the core of its projects worldwide.
By offering fully compliant and flexible turnkey solutions, Siemens delivers a peerless and peace of mind solutions & services
new technological solutions – from the transmission of large amounts of green comprehensive automation of distribu The convergence of operational and in technology is a fundamental precondit successful and efficient tackling of the
The power to make power happen
Enter Siemens, the technology company that provides the most comprehensive integrated range of top-notch electrification, automation, and digitalization products and services.
The power
Globally present and trusted, Siemens combines expertise in all areas of power transmission and distribution with a unique link to automation, drive, and information technology. Along with decades of worldwide experience and a firm commitment to customer success, this distinctive factor makes Siemens the partner of choice for safe, sustainable, and efficient power infrastructures.
Intelligent and digitally m
Wherever and whenever power is needed, energy management technology from Siemens makes sure it arrives at its destination – across all power levels and with a reliable roadmap to the future. A prime example is the role Siemens plays as »Strategic Partner of Enel for the Smart Grid Technology at EXPO Milano 2015.«
The power to make power happen -A10001-00-4A00
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The world‘s energy systems are changing across all voltage levels. New operational challenges are calling for new technological solutions – from the long-distance transmission of large amounts of green power to the comprehensive automation of distribution infrastructures. The convergence of operational and information technology is a fundamental precondition for the successful and efficient tackling of these tasks.
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Enter Siemens, the technology compan the most comprehensive integrated ra electrification, automation, and digital and services.
Intelligent and digitally managed power transmission and distribution
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Known for walking the talk, Siemens could be considered as a Trusted Partner to Lake Turkana, as to world‘s Ketraco forenergy any Energysystems Project and is willing The are changi to sustain the governmental “Powering Freedom” voltage New operational challen initiative in levels. Kenya.
Intelligent and digitally managed power transmission and distribution
The power t siemens.com/energy-management
The world‘s energy systems are chang voltage levels. New operational challe