LAKE TURKANA WIND POWER
in the success of the project .
“ The Kenyan government has been so supportive of this project from the start , the appeal of the project and the size of it makes it such an attractive development ,” he says .
This is evident in the significant role of Lake Turkana in the wider Kenya Vision 2030 . Launched in 2006 , the Kenya Vision 2030 is a vision of transforming Kenya into a ‘ newly industrialising , middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens by 2030 in a clean and secure environment ’.
The vision is built upon three pillars : economic , social and political . The vision looks at large infrastructural developments in order to achieve its ambition – and Lake Turkana was well placed within that vision .
“ Kenya has a large energy landscape , which is quite unique both in Africa and on a global scale . You are looking at a 40-50 percent generation that is purely renewable energy ,” Leferink explains .
“ In the bigger landscape , Turkana is quite fitting with what the government is trying to achieve in the long term – cheaper , cleaner energy ,”
To the future With construction nearing completion , all eyes are firmly set on the future . Working closely with its partners , Lake Turkana will closely monitor the performance of the wind farm over the initial 8-12 months . This will allow the company to overcome any teething problems from an operational perspective , enabling a smooth functioning facility for the remaining years . “ It ’ s been a great journey ,” says Leferink . “ There will be a certain sense of emptiness when construction is over as the people will change and new teams will come in . We ’ ve had a strong relationship with all our contractors and we will feel sorry for when the end is there . But at the same time , we have accomplished what we set out to do and the next stage is upon us .”
58 June 2017