The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project (LTWP), currently under construction, will add 310 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity to Kenya’s national grid. A new case study from the Low Emission Development Strategies Global Platform (LEDS GP) assesses the development benefits of the project and some of the measures the developers and government have taken to manage social impacts and generate benefits locally.

The project involves 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.

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. This additional wind energy capacity will:

• mitigate greenhouse gas emissions equal to 740,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2eq) 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