Wind Power News: Africa
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Giant turbine farm set to harvest West Coast wind
Appeals against plans for a huge new wind farm on the West Coast have been dismissed by environment minister Barbara Creecy, paving the way for the addition of up to 140 megawatts of renewable energy into the national grid. This is the Juno Wind Energy Facility, planned for a farm in the West Coast District Municipality area about five kilometres from the coast. It will consist of up to 49 turbines, some of which will stand nearly 180m high, and . . . Complete story »
US firm loses battle for Sh21b Lamu wind farm
US energy firm Cordisons International has lost an 11-year battle to put up a Sh21 billion wind power farm in Lamu County. The Supreme Court last week threw out the appeal by Cordisons that sought to compel the National Land Commission (NLC) to issue the firm with a leasehold to 11,000 acres of land in Kiongwe, Lamu County to build a wind farm. In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the decision made by the Court of Appeal in 2017 . . . Complete story »
Kenya’s ambitious wind turbines battle community land crosswinds
The tussle in Kenya’s high court between Marsabit County residents and the government over the land used for Africa’s biggest wind farm continues to threaten stability in the area. The project, which the government regards as its ambition for clean and renewable energy and a symbol of its Vision 2030, was inaugurated by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2019. It comprises 365 wind turbine generators, each with a capacity of 850 kW. The total wind farm capacity is 310 MW. Five . . . Complete story »
Wind farm says massive new rival could cost it “hundreds of millions” in lost energy
An existing wind farm is crying foul after the government last month gave the conditional go-ahead for a massive new wind farm project on an adjoining property on the West Coast Peninsula near Vredenburg. The West Coast One wind farm, that has been operating since 2015, says the huge turbines of the recently approved Boulders Wind Energy Facility will be situated immediately upwind of its own slightly smaller turbines and will deplete its access to the wind resource because of . . . Complete story »
Environmental activists threaten court action over planned wind farm in the Cape West Coast
Environmental activists and property owners along the Cape West Coast are threatening court action over the planned Boulders Wind Farm. Government approved in principle, the 45-turbine wind farm project near Paternoster, St Helena Bay and Vredenburg. It says the generation of 144 MW of electricity will result in significant socio-economic benefits at national, local and community level. However, those opposed to the project are concerned about its impact on the environment, tourism and job creation in the West Coast region. Renowned . . . Complete story »
Residents oppose approval of Cape wind farm
A project that has been met with resistance from many Western Cape residents has officially been approved by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF). The Boulders wind farm project in the Paternoster area on the West Coast will see some 45 turbines of 160-metres-tall erected, which may be a step towards renewable energy the country and the province could do with. However, many members of the public, as well as environmental activists, are opposed to the project, specifically . . . Complete story »
Huge West Coast wind farm approved
The government has approved in principle the huge Boulders wind farm project on the West Coast peninsula near Paternoster, St Helena Bay and Vredenburg. The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) issued an environmental authorisation for the project on 14 January. However, its approval comes with conditions that include changes to the proposed environmental management programme for operating the 140 megawatt project, as well as additional research into some of the likely impacts – notably on birds and bats. . . . Complete story »
New judges for wind farm case
Chief Justice David Maraga has appointed a new three-judge bench to hear a land case between Lake Turkana Wind Power Ltd and Marsabit residents after the previous judges recused themselves. Justices Peter Muchoki Njoroge of Chuka Law Courts, Yuvinalis Angima based at Meru Law Courts and Lady Justice Grace Kemei of Murang’a said they would hear the matter from January 20 to January 23, 2020. Numerous delays They observed that the case against the firm had been pending in court . . . Complete story »
How Kenya’s mega wind power project is hurting communities
Kenya recently launched the Lake Turkana Wind Power project, Africa’s largest wind energy project and the biggest public-private investment in Kenyan history. The wind farm will produce 300MW of low-cost renewable energy for Kenya’s national grid. Kenya is already a leader in green energy; 70% of its electricity comes from renewable sources, all part of the government’s plans to promote renewable energy in line with the national development strategy, Vision 2030. The Lake Turkana Wind Power project is a key . . . Complete story »
Wind power project no respite for Kenyans’ high power bills
Kenyans will continue paying high electricity bills despite President Uhuru Kenyatta launching the 310 megawatts wind power project in Loyangalani, Marsabit, last Friday. It was expected that the project touted as the biggest wind farm on the continent would lower the cost of power because it is clean energy. However, not so fast. Chairman of Lake Turkana Power board Mugo Kebati, the private entity that is generating the green power, told the Star that consumers will still pay high cost . . . Complete story »
