Sunday, January 25, 2009

Kenya Will Have a Wind Farm in 2012


A Kenyan firm plans to produce 300 MW of electricity by 2012 by harnessing renewable wind power in the north of the country, its director told Reuters. Once completed, the project could meet about a quarter of Kenya's total energy demand, which stands at some 1,200 MW, just slightly below the installed capacity.

The government is looking at developing "green" energy sources, such as wind and geothermal, to meet demand that is growing at around 8 percent a year. The total project cost would be about $760 million and that the African Development Bank (AfDB) had indicated it would finance 30 percent of that.

The rest of the financing would come from locally syndicated bank loans and international investment banks in South Africa, the Middle East and possibly the United States. The company plans to put up 360 wind turbines that will each generate 850 kw, to be constructed by Denmark's Vestas Wind Systems A/S. Each turbine that is set up will come online immediately.

This is a great initiave by a developing country like Kenya. In spite of their limitation, they are still willing to build something advance like this that will contribute positively to the environment. Other countries should follow this excellent example. Complete news can be read from Environmental News Network.

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