Kopere Solar Power Station Explained

Kopere Solar Power Station
Coordinates:-0.0006°N 35.1972°W
Country:Kenya
Location:Kopere, Nandi County
Status:P
Construction Began:2019 Expected
Commissioned:2021 Expected
Owner:Voltalia Portugal SA
Solar Type:PV

Kopere Solar Power Station, is a planned solar power plant in Kenya, the largest economy in the East African Community.[1]

Location

The power station would be located in the neighborhood known as Kopere, in Nandi County, close to the border with Kisumu County, approximately 310km (190miles),[1] by road, north-west of Nairobi, Kenya's capital and largest city. The solar farm would sit on approximately 250acres of land.[2]

Overview

Kenya has ambitions to electrify 100 percent of the country's population, up from 70 percent in 2017. This development and the 55 megawatts Garissa Solar Power Station, owned by Kenya Rural Electrification Authority, are aimed to diversify Kenya electricity sources, given the unpredictability of hydro-power in this East African country. The project was initiated by Portuguese energy firm Martifer Solar and was later acquired by the French firm in 2016.[1] [3]

This power station is expected to supply at least 600,000 on-grid customers. In addition to the power station, the developers will construct a 33/132kV sub-station and a 1.8km (01.1miles), transmission line to integrate the estimated 106GWh generated annually into the national grid.

Developers

The power station is being developed by Voltalia Portugal SA, the Portuguese subsidiary of the French company Voltalia.[1] [3] The developers have already signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with electricity distributor Kenya Power and Lighting Company.[3] Voltalia is expected to own and operate the solar farm and power station, after commissioning.[4]

Construction timeline, costs and funding

Construction is expected to start in 2019. In December 2018, the African Development Bank (AfDB) committed to lend US$18.17 million towards the construction of this power station. At that time, AfDB was also in the process of securing another US$11.6 million concessional loan from the Climate Investment Fund’s Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program (SREP), to lend towards this development as well.[5]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kenya: French firm signs contract for a 50 MW PV plant . ESI-Africa . 30 May 2018 . 7 December 2018 . ESI-Africa . Rondebosch, South Africa.
  2. Web site: Another 40 MW solar power plant in Kenya to be constructed . 6 May 2016 . 7 December 2018 . Construction Review Online . Antony . Kiganda . Nairobi.
  3. Web site: 27 May 2018 . French firm inks 50 MW solar electricity purchase deal . . 7 December 2018 . Brian . Ngugi . Nairobi.
  4. Web site: Kenya: Voltalia to run the 50 MW Kopere solar power plant . Afrik21.africa . 31 May 2018 . Jean Marie Takouleu . 20 August 2021 . Paris, France.
  5. Web site: Kopere Solar Power Project secures $18.17 million senior loan . ESI-Africa . ESI-Africa . 4 December 2018 . 7 December 2018 . Cape Town.