(Ecofin Agency) - In Kenya, the Lamu county and the National Land Commission clashed over a wind park project planned in the region. The clash results from both institutions approving the allocation of a 11,000 acres plot in the region to two distinct energy developers.

While the county gave the permission to US company Cordisons International to build a 100 MW park, NLC gave its’ to Belgian Electrowind (which has its subsidiary Kenwind in the country) to build a 90 MW wind plant.

“The NLC cannot talk of compensating residents without first consulting the county government. NLC must follow the law to avoid disputes with the county government,” said Issa Timany, the governor of the Lamu county.

Contacted by Standard Media, Muhammad Swazuri, NLC’s president, declared that his organization met with the region’s heads and also with officials who approved. “Although Cordisons came earlier in 2008, it has not received the authority to invest in wind power from the Ministry of Energy, while the other company has fully complied. It is not true that the approval of Kenwind was overlapping another project, since the land is not the same as that which Cordisons seeks to put up its project,” he replied.

According to documents provided to Standard Media, Cordisons obtained the approval of the ministry of energy in 2009 and started feasibility study for the project. Similarly, it got the county’s in 2010 and that of the ministry of lands in 2013 for NLC to issue title to land.

Gwladys Johnson