Muslim, Christian clerics support Sh21b Lamu wind power project

Muslim and Christian clerics in Lamu yesterday rallied local residents to support the proposed Sh21 billion wind-power project in the area.

Over 50 clergymen, under an inter-faith umbrella, said most residents support the project despite opposition by a section of politicians who they accused of advancing selfish interests.

The wind-power project, with a lifespan of 20 years, is expected to generate 990 megawatts.

The consortium behind the project said yesterday that it had been held back because of delays in the resettlement process.

Belgium renewable-energy developer Electrawind and local partner Kenwind said yesterday they had set aside over Sh17 billion (1.5 million Euros) to resettle the effected persons but the National Land Commission (NLC) had not identified the land to relocate them to.

"We are bound by international standards because we are financed by the International Finance Corporation, but we are saddened by the false information being peddled by some local leaders," said the Consortium Director Susan Anandwa.

"We are bound by international standards because we are financed by the International Finance Corporation, but we are saddened by the false information being peddled by some local leaders," said the Consortium Director Susan Anandwa. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

She said that the project was scheduled to be complete by January 2017 and commissioned in January 2018 but it was behind schedule due to opposition on the resettlement process.

The power generated will be injected into the national grid.

This comes at a time when the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company is building a 323km, 22 KV power line from Rabai to Lamu at the cost of Sh9 billion.

Mrs Anandwa said the consortium is scheduled to sign a power purchase agreement with Kenya Power next month.

She called on NLC to resolve the resettlement impasse.

"We know that our Governor (Issa Timamy) is a development-minded leader and we call upon him to rein in a cartel of people that have formed a habit of opposing every big project for their selfish gains," said Lamu inter-faith group chairman Sheikh Ibrahim Shahid.

Sheikh Shahid said the benefits of the projects outweigh political and individual interests given that squatters and locals to be resettled would be given title deeds.

A fortnight ago, a High Court in Malindi dismissed a petition that was seeking to stop a wind-power project in Bahari ward, Mpeketoni, Lamu County.

Malindi Land and Environment Judge Oscar Angote ruled that the anticipated benefits once the project by Kenwind Holdings is implemented, outweighed the interests of the seven petitioners who had sought court permission to halt the project.

Bishop Zeden Maina of Full Gospel Church of Kenya said some politicians were opposing the project because of their selfish interests.

Documents seen by The Standard reveal that the project has been approved by both the national and county governments.

And in July this year, Lamu County Assembly, which also gave its stamp of approval, called on those opposed to the project to stop politicising it because of selfish interests.

The wind farm will comprise 36 to 45 turbines with a total capacity of 990 MW, according to Electrawinds NV, and will be constructed on a 300-hectare farm located about 20km from the site of the proposed Lamu port

Lamu is not connected to the national power grid and relies on a 2.4 MW thermal power generator.