40MW Nyakwere Solar Power Project, Homabay County Kenya
This project is being developed under the Kenya's Fit-in-Tariff (FiT) policy, a mechanism to promote renewable energy by guaranteeing producers a pre-determined rate for electricity sold to the grid for a period of 20yrs. The Project will sell its output to Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd. (“KPLC”), the utility responsible for the distribution of electricity throughout Kenya. KPLC is 50.1% owned by the Kenyan government and 49.9% publicly-traded on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. The country is rated B1 (Stable) by Moody’s and B+ (Stable) by S&P and Fitch.
Site Description
Location: Nyakwere plateau, Wang'chieng ward, Karachuonyo Constituency Homabay County Solar resource GHI: 2297 kWh/m2
Land surface: 1.1 km2 for the project and transmission line
Geology: Soil and rocks
Topography: Top of a Hill plateau with slopes in some areas
Power Plant Technical Details
Installed power: 40 MWac (approx.52 MWp)
Yield: 1730 kWh/kWp
Structures: Ground mounted, fixed
Grid connection: Sang'oro substation (<2km) and 132 KV network
Access: New access road to be built
on site
Project Milestones
Project Highlights
The 40 MW solar power project once commissioned will improve the voltage profile in the Western Kenya region and reduce line losses, thereby generating savings to KPLC and the country.
Kenya As The Host Country
The Project offers an opportunity to invest in Kenya, one of the largest economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, and one of the higher credit rated ones. Kenya is committed to its renewable energy program and has put into place a favorable regulatory framework. As such, it represents an attractive target for growth for renewable energy companies. Homabay county where the Project is located amongst the safest and most stable in Kenya with great county leadership, and the Project Site presents opportunities for expansion.
A Strong Development Local Partner
Quaint is led by Alfred Achar. Mr. Achar has more than 30 years of international experience. He has accumulated many years of practical experience in the design, construction, start-up, commissioning and operation of new chemical/oil/gas/renewable energy facilities, as well as in other engineering, capital project management and technical purchasing activities. Quaint will remain active in the development of the Project through its commissioning date.
Favorable Economics
The Project benefits from one of the highest levels of insolation in the world. Based on detailed output analysis, WSP has projected a P50 output of almost 102 GWH delivered to the grid in the first year of operations. On the capital costs side, the substation where the Project will interconnect with the national grid is at a hydro facility only approximately 2 kilometers from the Site.
Investment Near Financial Close
Quaint has already undertaken all the preliminary technical assessments of the project, including a feasibility study, geotechnical assessment, ESIA and a grid impact study, all of which concluded that the Project presented no fatal flaws. These reports are now being supplemented and finalized by world-class institutions as a part of a work scope financed by a Grant that will allow Quaint to get the Project to a near financial closing stage prior to outside equity investment.
Strong Local Community And National Government Support
Due to the social, economic and grid stability benefits resulting from the project’s implementation, the project is highly supported by the local community, and both the Homa Bay County and Kenyan National Government.
5mw atemo hybrid solar-hydro power plant
This project is also being developed under the Kenya's Fit-in-Tariff (FiT) policy. The hybrid solar-hydro power plant combines 3MW solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with 2MW hydropower to create a more stable and reliable energy supply. By pairing the two, this system will increase energy efficiency, reduce water evaporation from reservoirs.
Site Description
Location: On River Atemo, Homabay
County
Solar resource GHI: 2297 kWh/m2
Hydro resource: 12 - 17m3/second
Land surface: 10 acres
Geology: Soil and rocks
Topography: Soil and rocks
Power Plant Technical Details
Installed power: 5 MW ac.
Yield: TBD
Grid connection: TBD
Access: Existing access road
Project Milestones
Project in initial stages of development with the following completed:
⦁ Expression of Interest approved by Ministry of Energy & Petroleum.
⦁ Investment Memorandum of Understanding signed with Homabay County.
⦁ Project land acquisition Letter of Intent signed.
⦁ Pre-feasibility study to commence soon.
Project Highlights
Once implemented, this hybrid system will create a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy contribution to the Kenyan electrical grid by overcoming the limitations of solar and hydro power when they operate alone.