Alten Kenya Solarfarms (Alten) has commissioned a 44-megawatt (MW) solar facility in Kesses, Uasin Gishu County.

It will produce 400 construction employees, 15 permanent jobs, and thousands of clean, renewable energy sources, helping to meet the SDG (cheap and clean energy).

The project collaborated with Stanbic Bank Kenya, the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), and the Standard Bank Group through the Standard Bank of South Africa.

“We are thrilled to see Kesses in action, further cementing Kenya’s status as a global renewable energy leader. Africa leads the world in solar energy potential, and more projects of this type are needed to ensure we meet the continent’s growing demand for energy without compromising GHG emissions,” Ninety-One Investment Specialist Sine Zulu said.

“Kenya is the ninth African country where EAIF has supported renewable energy projects, underlining the Fund’s status as a lender of choice for renewable energy companies investing in Africa.”

Kesses marks a key turning point for the EAIF, which has now assisted in producing green electricity in nine African nations.

The Fund's portfolio now has nearly 1000 MW of renewable energy capacity.

To enhance supply in Africa's most underserved regions, PIDG's plan includes increasing investment in clean, affordable power solutions, with a growing emphasis on renewables and off-grid technologies.

The Rift Valley Province of Kenya's major population centre, Eldoret, is near the US$87 million solar power plant.

The town is centred on local government, higher education, business and financial services, the textile industry, agribusiness, and sports tourism.

By supplying clean, renewable power to Eldoret and the surrounding communities, Kesses is driving a significant boost in productivity for the local economy.

One hundred per cent of the electricity output is delivered to the national grid through a 20-year take-or-pay power purchase agreement between Alten and Kenya Power and Lighting Company, the national energy utility.

Standard Bank Executive Energy and Infrastructure Finance Sherrill Byrne said the Bank is committed to driving renewable energy growth across the African continent aligned to our sustainability goals and commitments.