Lamu Wind Power Station
Wind farm in Kenya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lamu Wind Power Station, also Lamu Wind Farm, is a planned 90 MW (120,000 hp) wind-powered power station in Kenya.[1]
| Lamu Wind Power Station | |
|---|---|
 Location of Lamu Wind Power Station in Kenya | |
| Country | Kenya |
| Location | Mpeketoni, Lamu County |
| Coordinates | 02°24′59″S 40°44′32″E |
| Status | Planned |
| Commission date | 2020 (Expected) |
| Owner | Kenwind Holdings |
| Wind farm | |
| Type | |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 90 MW (120,000 hp) |
Location
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 mi2). The project is expected to displace over 600 families, who will be compensated to relocate.[4]
Overview
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 mi2) 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
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
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 mi2) 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
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]
