Google in talks to invest in Turkana wind project

Google is reported to be in talks to invest in the largest wind power project in Africa.

A CNBC report quoting “people familiar with the situation” says the technology giant is interested in acquiring a minority stake in the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project.

The deal, if finalised, would likely be relatively small — in the tens of millions of dollars — but would be a vote of confidence about energy investment in Kenya.

It would also likely unlock an investment guarantee of up to $250 million (Sh24 billion) from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the US government’s development finance institution.

The Lake Turkana project, which will span 40,000 acres and produce 310 megawatts, will require more than $700 million (about Sh70 billion) to complete.

The private investors behind the project have already raised all the money they need so a Google investment would require one of the initial players to cash out early.

“The majority of the equity in the project is held by co-developers KP&P Africa, a group of Dutch and Kenyan businessmen, and power project specialist Aldwych International,” the CNBC report says. “Other financial backers include the governments of Denmark, Finland and Norway, and Vestas, the Danish company making the projects 365 turbines.”

Google has invested more than $2 billion (Sh194 billion) in numerous renewable energy projects in the United States and in 2013 put $12 million (Sh1.2 billion) into the Jasper solar power project in South Africa, one of the largest such installations in Africa.

The company provided no comment to queries about the proposed deal.

Mr Rizwan Fazal, a representative for the project, said: “Google is not involved in LTWP at present and LTWP has no agreement or understanding of any nature with Google.”

Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in October next year with 50MW and hit full capacity about seven months later.