Wind Energy

Kenya has an area of approximately 90,000 square kilometres with wind speeds of over 6 m/s which is excellent for wind electricity generation. These areas include Marsabit, Samburu, parts of Laikipia, Meru North, Nyeri, Nyandarua and Ngong hills. Other areas of interest include Lamu, offshore Malindi, at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro and Narok Plateau.

However, generation of electricity from wind resources is still a new experience in Kenya and is low. Currently, only two wind energy converters for KENGEN with an installed capacity of 5.5MW are operational. But in the medium term, wind energy projects capable of generating 625MW will be operational and they include:

Project	Location	Capacity (MW)
Lake Turkana Wind	Marsabit	300
Aeolous Kinangop Wind	Kinangop	60
Aeolous Ngong Wind	Ngong hills	100
Osiwo Ngong Wind	Ngong hills	60
Aperture Green Ngong	Ngong hills	60
Daewoo Ngong Wind	Ngong hills	30
KENGEN Wind	Ngong hills	15
Total		625

The challenges hindering the exploitation of wind resources include the high investment costs, lack or inadequate grid in the areas that have high wind energy potential e.g. in Marsabit where a new high voltage line of about 428 kilometers will have to be established and poor infrastructure in areas with high wind potential. Investment in grid extension and road infrastructure is therefore necessary to promote the exploitation of wind resources and to reduce the investment costs.