A project named Meru County Energy Park that will see Meru County having wind power has commenced.
The project is hoped to be fully established in 2022 and its budget is Sh15 billion.
The project which is an association of Windlab and the county government of Meru will produce 80 Megawatts (MW) upon completion, an official from Windlab has disclosed.
Windlab officials affirmed that the project will create more jobs despite providing clean power to more than 200,000 homes.
Project developer Douglas Kaume said that the project is currently hosted in 2,000 acres of land in Athwana in Tigania West area but as the projects proceed, the area of coverage is expected to reduce to 140 acres.
He said that the area was chosen due to its good wind and solar sources.
“This is a utility-scale hybrid project and will consist of wind, solar and battery storage,” said Kaume, as quoted by Standard.
Windlab managing director Katherine Persson clarified that the project was privately funded and Meru County Investment and Development Corporation of Meru county will just be a stakeholder.
The MD said that the major source of labour is mainly from the locals who aided in the construction of meteorological mast commissioned recently and there will be more labour required from them as the project progresses.
“Where casual labour is required, the locals have always been used,” said Persson.