| dc.description.abstract | Wind power generation has experienced a continuous attention and investment in
Kenya. As a country, Kenya borders Indian Ocean that is rich of renewable energy
sources such as the offshore wind and tidal waves. In Kenya, the World Bank’s funded
“Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) has facilitated researches
geared to estimate the Offshore Wind Energy (OWE) potentials. These researches have
all been potential based. However, for an investment-oriented system, wind energy
potential alone is never enough to serve as the only investment parameter. Today, no
ocean energy resource system such offshore wind farm has been established to boost
the energy requirement and development in Kenyan coastlines. The area of concern in
Coastal Kenya is the Lamu. The choice for Lamu as the location of interest for this
research work was motivated by expected increase in energy demand for
industrialization and shortage of electricity generating plants in Lamu. The expected
increase in energy demand is mainly attributed to the proposed development project
at Lamu Port and its environs. Lamu Port has three operational berths, which are
among the proposed thirty-two. Other consumers include the go downs, hotel
industries and other businesses as well as domestic consumers. This research
therefore, performed a comprehensive techno-economic feasibility and analysis from
offshore wind energy generation system models that geared towards investment
forecast in Lamu. To achieve the objectives of this research work, Lamu wind speed
and wind direction data were accessed and analyzed during the attachment with
Kenya Met. Department. The Lamu load profile data was accessed and analyzed
during the attachment with Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) Limited.
Necessary adjustments were made through Mathematical designs. Wind farm models
were developed by using application software called Hybrid Optimization for
Multiple Energy Renewables (HOMER). Based on the models realized, techno
economic feasibility analysis was achieved. The analysis was made in terms
engineering and financial results from the models. Under Vision 2030 projection, the
following sets of results were realized: daily peak generation of 50,160 kW, Annual
Energy Output (AEO) of 266,204,237 kWh, Net Present Cost (NPC) of $ 1,088,225.00,
Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) of $ 20.47/MWh, Pay Back Period (PBP) of 3.36 years,
and Internal Rate Return (IRR) of 6.13% and Return of Investment (ROI) of 77.87%.
Under Vision 2050 projection, the following set of results were realized: daily peak
generation of 200,640 kW, AEO of 1,064,816,947 kWh, NPV of $ 285,447.70, LCOE of $
5.37/MWh, PBP of 3.19 years, IRR of 4.05% and ROI of 76.95%. From the generation
capacity and hence AEO achieved for OWFs under Visions 2030 and 2050 projections,
would be capable of meeting the projected Lamu’s load demands in both scenarios.
The values of LCOE, NPV, IRR and ROI would give positive margins, which are clear
indications for profitability from Lamu OWFs projected in both scenarios. The PBP for
Lamu OWFs projected in both scenarios would both be achieved before the end of the
plant’s life-cycle period. From these indicators it would therefore be suitable to pursue
Lamu OWF investment projects based on projected models under Visions 2030 and
2050. | en_US |
