Developer cancels $144m wind project in Kenya
The $144 million Kinangop Wind Park, which was supposed to be developed in Kenya, has been cancelled due to opposition from local landowners and farmers.
The project was supported by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), through its Africa Infrastructure Investment Fund II, and Norfund, Norway's investment fund for developing countries.
Kinangop's 60.8 megawatt (MW) project in Nyandarua County in central Kenya was due to come online by mid-2015 but progress was hobbled by disputes with residents over compensation for land.
Last year, local farmers also opposed the project, saying they would be forced to sell their land. The also alledged the turbines could cause health problems.
The project development company said in a press release:
"Due to the consequent material delay, project funds have been depleted and the project can no longer be completed by the shareholders."
The project had aimed to provide electricity to an estimated 150,000 Kenyan homes by 2018.
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