Netherlands funds road construction for wind power project in Kenya
Wind power generation at Sololo shopping centre, Marsabit county. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has received 10 million euro from the Netherlands government for the construction of a 200km road linking Africa's largest wind power project in northwest Kenya. PHOTO/FILE
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has received 10 million euros (about 13.7 million U.S. dollars) from the Netherlands government for the construction of a 200km road linking Africa's largest wind power project in northwest Kenya.
"The upgrading strengthening of the road is primarily to support this unique project and to allow for the wind turbines to reach site," visiting Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Corporation Lilianne Ploumen said in Nairobi on Wednesday.
"However, the road will open the entire area for further development and improve accessibility to all the local communities, " Ploumen added.
The average electricity production of the project is estimated at 1,440 GWh per year, equivalent to the annual generation capacity of Namibia in 2010, and will be sold to the grid at a price of .0752 euro/Kwh.
The project will comprise 365 wind turbines (each with a capacity of 850 kW), the associated overhead electric grid collection system and a high voltage substation.
