Google backs Africa’s largest wind farm

The 310MW project will feature 365 wind turbines and provide almost a fifth of Kenya’s installed capacity. 

The 40,000 acre project marks Google’s 22nd investment in clean energy, representing $2bn and 2.5GW power. Google has not disclosed the value of the investment.

The web giant is already invested in Africa’s largest solar project, and said that it continues to see opportunities in the developing world, “where both the need and the potential [for renewable energy] are great”.

Google’s energy and sustainability director Rick Needham said: “As an investor in both the largest solar PV and wind farm projects in Africa, we are as optimistic as ever about the potential for these investments to accelerate progress toward a future of clean energy.

“These efforts not only make business sense, they can help accelerate the deployment of renewable energy globally— including in emerging markets like Kenya, where there is an opportunity to have a transformative impact on the energy grid.

Green giant

Earlier this week, Google was one of the firms that signed up to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, calling for an ambitious dela in Paris, and pledging to boost sustainability in its own operations.

Google is committed to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy and has commmoitted to tripling its purchases of renewable energy by 2025.

It also operates a fleet of shuttles and corporate electric vehicles that result in net annual savings of 29,000+ metric tons of CO2, equivalent to taking 5,700 cars off the road.

The tech firm also has a target to reduce water-use in its California headquarters by 30% in 2015, compared with 2013.

Read more about Google’s green initiatives in the edie’s ‘green giant’ feature.

Brad Allen