Kenya has selected two Chinese companies to build one of the largest grid-connected solar power plants in the country’s northwest city of Garissa
The government of Kenya has not yet disclosed the estimated cost of the project, but analysts have speculated it will be a multi-billion dollars endeavour.
In a statement, solar power product manufacturer JinkoSolar Holding announced that it had signed a cooperative agreement with China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CJIC) to provide technical support for CJIC’s 50MW solar power project development in Kenya.
Under the agreement, JinkoSolar has been appointed by CJIC as the preferred supplier for this project.
The statement said that the 200 acre plant would produce about 76,473MW hours per year, reducing yearly carbon missions by 64,190 tons and saving coal consumption by 24,470 tons annually.
Garissa is geographically optimal for harnessing solar power, said JinkoSolar.
According to the JinkoSolar statement, “The introduction of solar energy is expected to generate value for Kenya’s energy landscape, by ensuring opportunities for economic growth.
CJIC general manager Guojian Xu said, “Through cooperation with JinkoSolar, we hope to build a long-term relationship to harness our unique advantages and open a new chapter for the construction of PV power plants in Africa.”
JinkoSolar CEO Kangping Chen added, “We are pleased to be a part of Kenya’s push towards clean technology development and commitment to renewable energy.
“As a market leader in the solar energy business, JinkoSolar will play a key role in supplying Kenya’s growing demand for solar energy. By cooperating with CJIC, we expect this project will provide JinkoSolar with future opportunities in Kenya’s solar power plant industry.”
