LEDS in Practice: The case of Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power Project

This publication, Benefits of low emission development strategies – the case of Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, produced by the LEDS GP Benefits Working Group in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ICF, presents a case study on Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power Project.

The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project (LTWP), currently under construction, will add 310 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity to Kenya’s national grid through the installation of 365 turbines, construction of 436 km of transmission lines, and rehabilitation of more than 200 km of existing roads. In addition to the investment opportunity LTWP provides for its stakeholders, the project represents a strategic opportunity to help Kenya meet its socioeconomic development and sustainability goals

Key messages

As Africa’s largest wind farm, the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project will increase the national electricity supply while creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The energy produced will:

• mitigate greenhouse gas emissions equal to 740,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2 eq) annually
• increase national electricity supply by 15–20% (relative to 2015 generating capacity)
• enhance reliability of energy supply
• stabilize energy prices
• create more than 2,000 local jobs including 150 permanent jobs
• mitigate human health impacts from harmful air pollutants
• improve access to food, health facilities, and water through corporate social responsibility programs
• increase income generating opportunities
• improve local education

Download the case study here: Benefits of low emission development strategies – the case of Kenya’s Lake Turkana Wind Power Project

Photo: George Garang/Flickr – ‘Lake Turkana Wind Power Project’