100 MW wind project in Kenya reaches financial close

Kipeto Energy Ltd (“Kipeto”) announced it has reached financial close following the acquisition by Actis of the respective equity interests of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group and African Infrastructure Investment Managers’ (“AIIM”), a member of Old Mutual Alternative Investments.

The project is now funded by equity from Actis (88%) and Kenyan company Craftskills Wind Energy International (12%) alongside senior debt from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”), the US Government’s development finance institution.

The Kipeto project was originally conceived by Craftskills Wind Energy International, with support from General Electric (“GE”). AIIM and IFC InfraVentures co-developed the project with Craftskills from 2014 until early 2018, executing a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Kenya Power and Lighting in 2016. 

The project is now preparing for the construction of 60 GE 1.7-103 wind turbines and a 17km (220KV) transmission line to carry the power to Isinya substation in Kajiado County, providing power to the equivalent of approximately 40,000 homes in the region.

Actis, IFC, AIIM and Craftskills worked with specialist consultants during both the planning and development stages of the project to undertake a series of environmental assessments and impact studies. With support from USAID Power Africa, Kipeto has developed and initiated a Biodiversity Action Plan, which is designed around the international best practice outlined in the IFC environmental performance standards.

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”), the US Government’s development finance institution, is the principal lender to the project. The African Trade Insurance Agency (“ATI”) will provide a 10-year standby revolving and on-demand insurance cover to protect the project against the risk of payment delays by the national off-taker. The wind turbines will be provided by GE Renewable Energy who will also provide operations and maintenance services for the project, while China Machinery Engineering Corporation (“CMEC”) will be providing Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) services. In addition, Haidco are construction equipment suppliers for the Project, as well as building partners for the new community housing.