(Ecofin Agency) – In addition to transport, industries are major energy consumers. The direct supply of the latter with clean energy makes it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can help governments in their commitments for the energy transition.
Steel and cement company Devki Group announced in a statement to Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (Nema) that it plans to develop a 60 megawatt (MW) wind power plant in Samburu, in Kwale County.
The electricity produced by the plant will be used for the company’s own consumption at its Samburu plant.
In its environmental and social impact assessment report, Devki said the wind characteristics in the area are ideal for power generation.
« The wind conditions at the site favor the production of electricity from the wind using a low-wind turbine, i.e. a turbine that reaches its rated capacity at a low wind speed rather than a turbine at higher speed “, says the report.
In Kenya, 3 large wind farms are already operational. These are the 310 MW Lake Turkana Wind Power (one of the largest wind farms in Africa); KenGen’s Ngong Wind Farm (26 MW); the Kipeto wind power plant (100 MW).
However, the country’s installed energy capacity from wind power will remain quite low even with the Devki project, as the country has relied mainly on hydroelectricity and geothermal energy to meet its energy needs. But the project will still help reduce the carbon footprint of the country’s business and industry.
Abdullah Diop