Kenya is building Africa’s biggest wind energy farm to generate a fifth of its power
Kenya set in motion the construction of Africas biggest wind power farm this week, near Laisamis, 550km north of Kenyas capital Nairobi.
Known as the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, the wind farm site covers 40,000 acres (162km2), which will be powered by the Turkana Corridorwind. It is a low-level jet stream originating from the Indian Ocean and blows all year round.
The project will consist of 365 turbines and expected to achieve 68% load capacity factor, which will make it the most efficient wind power farm in the world.
It is one part of Kenyas ambitious project to add 5,000 MW of power on the national grid in the next three years. Like many African countries Kenya has been primarily dependent on hydro and fossil fuels but wind energy is expected to insulate the countrys power tariff by providing a low cost and consistent power source.
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http://qz.com/444936/kenya-is-building-africas-biggest-wind-energy-farm-to-generate-a-fifth-of-its-power/