The leading independent power producer (IPP) in sub-Saharan Africa, Globeleq has recently announced that its 52 MWp Malindi solar farm in Kenya is fully operational. The output of the solar PV plant is sold to national utility Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
Located in Langobaya, Kilifi County, the Malindi solar power plant construction was started in 2019 and took 2 years for its completion. The solar project also included the construction of a new 220-kV Weru substation, which has been handed over to KPLC and now forms a part of the national grid infrastructure.
The solar project is owned by the Malindi Solar Group Limited, a special purpose vehicle company that is operating the solar farm. The financing for the USD 69 million power plant is majorly carried out by UK’s CDC Group and Globeleq.
Globeleq, and its partner Africa Energy Development Corporation (AEDC) indicated that the solar PV plant has been supplying 40 MWac of electricity into the national grid since mid-December 2021. The solar plant is delivering clean and renewable electricity to approximately 250,000 residential customers.
Mike Scholey, Globeleq’s CEO stated, “Malindi is our tenth operational solar PV plant in Africa and cements our unique position as a leader in large scale solar generation. Thank you to all involved for making this project a success and supporting plans to achieve net-zero by 2050.”
Zohrab Mawani, AEDC Co-founder and Managing Partner, said, “AEDC is pleased that the Malindi project has reached this all-important milestone and is contributing to Kenya’s supply of renewable and affordable electricity.”
The Malindi solar plant has been credited for improving access and stabilizing power supply in the region and targets to avoid annual CO2-equivalent emissions of 44,500 tons. The plant is one of the first IPP-owned utility-scale solar projects in Kenya and the only renewable energy plant near the coastal areas.
