In the dry northern region of Kenya, where strong winds once swept across barren plains, 310 tall wind turbines now stand as a beacon of hope for a better future. The Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) project, the largest wind farm in Africa, has transformed Marsabit County from an overlooked area into a vital energy hub, driving Kenya’s progress.
Situated near Loiyangalani on the southeastern edge of Lake Turkana, the 310-megawatt power plant taps into one of the world’s most reliable wind corridors. Lake Turkana Wind Power Chief Executive Officer Matt Schiff explains that Kenya has a unique system where winds blow in from the Indian Ocean year-round, and in this particular location, they funnel towards the wind farm.
“We sit between two large mountains. So to the north, we have Mount Kulal, and to the south, we have Mount Nyiru. And they act a bit like a funnel. As the wind comes through, it gets lifted, turns around, and spins a turbine at the top of the column that generates electricity, which is then transported down to the bottom of the turbine by cable. It goes through a transformer where it’s stepped up in voltage, and then it’s sent into our substation,” he explains.
The company has built a large substation where the energy is collected, stepped up again to 220 kV, and then dispatched to the national grid. Each of the 310 turbines generates 850 kilowatts of power, with the electricity transmitted through a 438-kilometre line to the national grid substation in Suswa, Narok County.
Since becoming fully operational in March 2018, LTWP has supplied around 12 percent of Kenya’s electricity, helping the country achieve over 90 percent renewable energy on the grid.
Schiff notes that the project has saved Kenyan consumers billions of shillings in electricity costs by reducing reliance on expensive thermal generators. It has also offset more than 4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, cutting down on fuel imports and relieving pressure on foreign currency reserves.
“If we didn’t have a plant like this, we would be using thermal energy instead, specifically heavy fuel oil. Over the past six years, that energy would have cost Kenyan consumers about Ksh. 126 billion more in energy costs than the power that comes from this plant. That represents direct savings for businesses, government offices, and homes,” he says.
“Having plants like this means you don’t have to spend dollars and euros importing fuel, which is a tremendous economic advantage,” he adds.
Transforming local lives
For the communities living around the project, the changes have been significant. Initial concerns that the company would take over ancestral land have turned into appreciation.
“At first, we were worried,” recalls Nakidor Moru, a resident from the Turkana community. “But now every home has light. Lake Turkana Wind Power provided us with solar lamps before electricity arrived. Our children can now study at night, which was something that never happened before.”
In Serima, near Loiyangalani, Sendeyo Bartor describes the improvements in her community:
“They have employed many of our children and built schools and hospitals. If you fall sick, you can get help. We lived very difficult lives, but now we are happy,” she says.
From the perspective of the elders, the project has also fostered peace. William Epukut from the Turkana Council of Elders states, “The wind farm has helped reduce conflicts by employing our youth from all communities. Our pastoralism continues, and animals still graze around the turbines. Soon, with electricity, our fish will not spoil.”
Beyond employment, where 311 full-time jobs comprise 81 percent for Marsabit locals, Lake Turkana Wind Power has invested over €6.5 million through its NGO, Winds of Change, in more than 100 community projects. These include health centres, schools, boreholes, and emergency relief.
“Our investment in the community is as important as the energy we produce. It’s part of who we are,” Schiff says.
Their health insurance covers over 1,700 people, and LTWP remains the region’s largest employer, offering competitive wages, medical cover, education support, and training.
Kenya’s electricity demand is growing at 5–5.5 percent annually. With geothermal, hydropower, solar, and now wind, the country has become a continental leader in clean energy. The success of Lake Turkana Wind Power positions Kenya to export electricity across the East African Power Pool.
Renewable energy has drastically reduced nationwide power outages and strengthened Kenya’s push towards industrialization. Projects like LTWP demonstrate how previously ignored natural resources can drive economic transformation.
“Kenya has shown the world what Africa can achieve with its natural resources. The impact is economic, social, and environmental. Our hope is to expand with government support,” Schiff says.
From a windswept desert once considered insignificant, Marsabit County is now a global model of climate leadership, clean energy, and community transformation. Its winds no longer merely blow across the landscape; they power homes, dreams, and the nation’s journey towards industrial prosperity.
