The Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) project at Loiyangalani in northwestern Turkana County is Kenya's largest LTWP Wind Farm and among Africa's largest wind power projects. The facility generates renewable electricity and supplies power to Kenya's national grid, contributing to Kenya's renewable energy goals and providing clean energy for Kenyan electricity consumers.
Project Overview and Specifications
Location: Loiyangalani, northwestern Turkana County, approximately 100 kilometers from Lodwar
Capacity: Approximately 310 megawatts (MW) at full operation
Turbines: 365 wind turbines, each approximately 2.5 MW capacity
Height: Turbines approximately 80-90 meters tall with blade spans of approximately 100+ meters
Land use: Approximately 40 square kilometers of land dedicated to turbine placement and supporting infrastructure
Cost: Approximately USD 680 million in development and construction costs
Development History
Planning and approval (mid-2000s to mid-2010s):
- Wind resource assessment and feasibility study
- Environmental and social impact assessment
- Land acquisition and community consultations
- Turkana County Government approvals and licensing
Construction (2014-2019):
- Site preparation and infrastructure development
- Manufacturing and delivery of turbine components from Europe and Asia
- Assembly and installation of 365 turbines
- Development of substation and transmission line connections
Commissioning:
- Initial power production testing (2017)
- Partial commissioning (April 2017, approximately 80 MW)
- Ramped-up production through 2018
- Full project commissioning (August 2019, 310 MW)
Power Generation and Capacity
At full capacity, the LTWP generates approximately 1,400 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, with significant seasonal variation (stronger winds in certain seasons generate more power).
The project was designed to supply power to Kenya's national electricity grid through transmission lines connecting LTWP to the grid system. The generated power is sold to Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) under a power purchase agreement negotiated between LTWP and KPLC.
Transmission and Grid Integration
A critical component of the LTWP project is the transmission line carrying power from Loiyangalani to the national grid. The transmission infrastructure includes:
New transmission lines: Approximately 400 kilometers of new high-voltage transmission lines constructed to connect LTWP to the national grid near Samburu/Turkana region, linking to the national grid system.
Substations: Electrical substations for voltage transformation and power management.
The transmission infrastructure required significant investment and coordination between LTWP, KPLC, and government authorities.
Power Purchase Agreement and Payment
LTWP sells electricity to KPLC under a long-term power purchase agreement. The agreement specifies the price per kilowatt-hour and the terms and conditions of power supply.
The contracted price for LTWP power was approximately USD 0.12-0.15 per kilowatt-hour at the time of project development, making wind power one of Kenya's cheaper renewable energy sources.
Disputes and Challenges
The LTWP project has experienced several disputes affecting operations:
Payment disputes: LTWP has faced challenges in obtaining timely and full payment from KPLC for electricity delivered. KPLC has sometimes been unable to pay agreed tariff rates due to financial constraints, affecting LTWP project returns.
Grid management and dispatch: Technical disputes have arisen regarding how wind power is integrated into the grid and how KPLC manages power supply from LTWP and other sources.
Transmission line issues: Disputes have occurred regarding responsibility for maintenance and operation of transmission lines.
These disputes have created uncertainty about the project's financial viability and have sometimes limited full-capacity operation.
Community Engagement and Impacts
Community engagement with the LTWP project has been complex:
Land compensation: Communities whose land was used for turbines and infrastructure received compensation, though compensation amounts and adequacy have been disputed.
Employment: The project created temporary employment during construction (hundreds of jobs) and ongoing employment for operations and maintenance (approximately 100-200 permanent jobs). Most positions have been filled by workers from outside Turkana.
Environmental concerns: Community and environmental organizations have raised concerns about environmental impacts including bird and bat collisions with turbines, noise impacts, and land use change.
Benefits and costs: Communities have debated whether benefits (employment, development spending) outweigh costs (land loss, environmental impacts).
Environmental and Climate Benefits
The LTWP project generates clean electricity without fossil fuel combustion, avoiding greenhouse gas emissions. The project displaces approximately 1 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annual emissions compared to coal or natural gas power generation.
The project contributes to Kenya's renewable energy targets and supports Kenya's climate mitigation commitments.
Technical and Operational Performance
Wind power generation is variable, dependent on wind speed and direction. The LTWP has capacity factors (actual generation relative to maximum capacity) of approximately 35-50 percent, meaning that on average it operates at approximately 35-50 percent of maximum capacity.
This variability creates challenges for grid management, as power supply from LTWP fluctuates. Grid operators must balance LTWP generation with other power sources (hydro, thermal) to maintain grid stability.
Contemporary Status and Future Prospects
As of 2026, the LTWP continues to operate and supply power to Kenya's national grid. The facility has successfully demonstrated large-scale wind power generation in Kenya and Africa.
Additional wind power projects have been proposed and planned for Turkana and neighboring regions, building on LTWP's success. However, grid capacity, financing, and community concerns continue to affect renewable energy development.
See Also
- Turkana County
- Oil Discovery in Turkana
- Geothermal Energy Turkana
- Local Content Turkana Oil
- Turkana County Government
Sources
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Lake Turkana Wind Power (2019). LTWP Operations and Performance Report. LTWP. https://www.ltwp.co.ke/
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Kenya Power and Lighting Company (2020). Renewable Energy Integration Report. KPLC. https://www.kplc.co.ke/
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IRENA (2019). Renewable Capacity Status Report: Africa. International Renewable Energy Agency. https://www.irena.org/
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World Bank (2016). Kenya Renewable Energy Integration Project Report. World Bank Group. https://www.worldbank.org/