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Lamu Wind Power Station

Coordinates: 02°24′59″S 40°44′32″E / 2.41639°S 40.74222°E / -2.41639; 40.74222
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Lamu Wind Power Station
Map
Location of Lamu Wind Power Station in Kenya
CountryKenya
LocationMpeketoni, Lamu County
Coordinates02°24′59″S 40°44′32″E / 2.41639°S 40.74222°E / -2.41639; 40.74222
StatusPlanned
Commission date2020 (Expected)
OwnerKenwind Holdings
Wind farm
Type
Power generation
Nameplate capacity90 MW (120,000 hp)

Lamu Wind Power Station, also Lamu Wind Farm, is a planned 90 MW (120,000 hp) wind-powered power station in Kenya.[1]

Location

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The power station would be located in Baharini Village, near the town of Mpeketoni, in Lamu County, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of the location of Port Lamu.[2] This is approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi), by road, east of the town of Garsen, which is located on the Mombasa–Garissa Road (B8 Road Kenya).[3]

The plan involves the construction of 38 turbines on a piece of real estate measuring 3,206 acres (5.009 sq mi). The project is expected to displace over 600 families, who will be compensated to relocate.[4]

Overview

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As part of efforts to diversify the energy sources in Kenya, Kenwinds Holdings, a private company, plans to establish a 90 MW wind farm in Mpeketoni Division at the Kenyan coast in Lamu County.[1] The planned wind station will sit on 3,200 acres (5.0 sq mi) of land and consist of 38 wind turbines.[5] The power generated will be evacuated via a new 323 kilometres (201 mi), 220 kV power line from Lamu to Rabai, where it will be integrated into the national grid.[1]

Development partners

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The power station will be owned and operated by Kenwind Holdings Limited, a Kenyan corporation. Kenwind Holdings is a subsidiary of Electrawinds, a Belgian energy company, which is collaborating on the project.[5] The International Finance Corporation, a branch of the World Bank is providing a portion of the budgeted US$235 million financing.[2]

Land dispute

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In March 2017, Cordisons International Limited, an American wind-energy developer, went to court to challenge Kenwind Holdings Limited's right to the 11,000 acres (17 sq mi) piece of property on which the development will sit.[6] In May 2018, Kenwind Holdings Limited, the Belgian company, prevailed in court and retained the rights to develop this power station.[7]

Recent developments

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In February 2020, the developers of this power station signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Kenya Power and Lighting Company, the country's electricity transmission and distribution monopoly. The electricity is expected to cost US$0.07 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).[4] 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Mwaniki, Chales (17 March 2013). "Nema seeks public views on 90MW Lamu wind power project". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b Business Daily (2012). "Lamu wind farm gets IFC backing". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 4 October 2016. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "Road Distance Between Garsen, Kenya And Baharini, Kenya" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b Kazungu Kalume (6 February 2020). "Kenya Power, Lamu farm sign 20-year wind electricity deal". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  5. ^ a b Kazungu, Kalume (26 April 2016). "Farmers in Mpeketoni support Lamu wind power project". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  6. ^ Charles Lwanga (20 March 2017). "NLC, county entangled in foreign firms' dispute over Sh21 billion Lamu wind power". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  7. ^ Lwanga, Charles (25 May 2018). "Court gives Belgian firm nod for Sh21 billion Lamu wind plant". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
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