Image: Portablespace
The construction of Africa’s first hybrid power plant located in Kenya officially kicked off on Tuesday.
Representing a $145 million investment, the hybrid plant known as “Meru County Power Park” will serve as a large-scale facility uniting wind, solar photovoltaic and battery storage. Up to 20 wind turbines and over 40,000 solar panels will be installed. The plant aims to provide more than 200,000 households with up to 80 MW of safe, affordable and renewable energy.
The project represents a joint effort between the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) of the government of Meru County as well as Windlab and Eurus Energy, global developers of renewable energy.
The government of Meru County will own part of the public-private partnership through the Meru County Investment and Development Corporation (MCIDC), while the remaining portion of the project is held by Windlab.
“As Kenya moves to implement the medium-term ‘Big Four’ agenda, promotion of predictable and sustainable renewable energy is key to guarantee successful realization of the manufacturing pillar. The project would help shore up manufacturing in the country,” said Roger Price, CEO of Windlab.
