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Environment study starts for Sh21bn wind project

windpower

The wind turbines in Loiyangalani. FILE PHOTO | KENNETH KIIMANTHI | NMG

Investors of the Sh21 billion wind power project at Baharini in Mpeketoni, Lamu West have started environmental and social impact assessment study.

Through the assessment they will be able to tell feasibility of the project before it is launched.

Baharini Wind Power project is a consortium of Elicio, a Belgium firm working with a Kenyan firm-Kenwind Holdings Limited Company.

The project is expected to generate about 90 megawatts of electricity.

Addressing the affected farmers at Baharini area in Mpeketoni during the launch of the ESIA study, project director Susan Nandwa said the study will not only enable them understand the scope of the project but also help narrow down on the impacts and effects.

Ms Nandwa asked residents to co-operate with the experts who will ask them questions about the expected works.

“I have come up with environmental and social experts from ERM. These are the ones conducting the ESIA study concerning the wind power project intended to be established here at Baharini,” she said.

She said the study would take “a few months” and appealed to them to accommodate the reserachers for success of the project.