GE Renewable Energy has partnered with GE Energy Financial Services to provide technology and debt financing for its flagship onshore wind project in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The project, which is located south of Nairobi, in Kajiado, Kenya, is a 100MW wind power development that is expected to produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 40 000 homes.

As part of its commitments GE Renewable Energy will supply 60 of its highly efficient GE 1.7-103 turbines and a 17km (220KV) transmission line to carry the power to Isinya substation in Kajiado County.

Clean energy

The 100MW Kipeto wind power project will provide clean energy to the national grid as a significant contribution to Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Big Four Agenda. The project is expected to reach commercial operation in 2020.

Commenting on the project Peter Wells, GE’s Onshore Wind Regional Director for Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, says the company is incredibly proud to be a part of this exciting endeavour.

“The Kipeto project is an important step forward in providing affordable, reliable clean energy to the region, and meeting Kenya’s renewable energy goals. We look forward to working with our partners on the journey for years to come.”

Financial close

The Kipeto wind power project, which reached financial close recently, is funded by equity from Actis and a Kenyan company, Craftskills Wind Energy International, alongside senior debt from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the United States government’s development finance institution (DFI).

GE Energy Financial Services provided advisory support which facilitated OPIC’s financing and will help to enable Kipeto to begin construction of the second largest wind farm in Kenya with GE wind turbines.