WorleyParsons secures contract for Kipeto wind farm in Kenya
Drawing on its success in managing the largest wind power project in Africa, global energy consulting firm WorleyParsons has now been awarded the contract to develop and manage the second largest such farm in Kenya – the Kipeto Wind Power Project, expected to generate up to 100 megawatts of clean energy.
The first half of this year has been a period of development for Kenya’s energy sector, both in terms of capacity as well as in terms of operations. Public sector energy companies in Kenya have called for consulting support for two separate geothermal power projects in recent months, one in Menengai West and the other being the Olkaria Geothermal field funded by Power Africa.
A promising trend in the country’s energy development is its diversification beyond traditional forms of energy generation, to further incorporate alternative and more renewable forms. In 2014, WorleyParsons’ South Africa outfit was enlisted to help with the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) project.The consulting firm helped develop a wind farm in just under a year, complete with as many as 365 turbines, making LTWP the largest wind farm in Africa, with the potential capacity to provide power to as many as 1 million households across Kenya. The project added a monumental 15% installed capacity to Kenya’s power sector.
Impressed with the firm’s services for LTWP – which included project management, engineering review and construction management services – public sector entity Kipeto Energy has now enlisted WorleyParsons’ services for the Kipeto Wind Power Project, designed to become the second largest wind farm in the country.
The Kipeto project involves the installation of 60 wind turbines – developed by global conglomerate GE – and will add 100 MW to Kenya’s renewable energy capacity. According to WorleyParsons, the project will also generate around 1,000 jobs for local inhabitants and contractors, which will include some contract extensions from the LTWP team.
Project Director at WorleyParsons Tim Gaskell said, “Our successful execution of the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project and the experience gained played a key role in WorleyParsons winning the Kipeto project. This project reinforces Kenya’s commitment to the wind power industry and adds to Kenya’s already strong renewable energy mix."