Tsagwa Village in Kilifi District is situated 50 kms northeast of Mombassa Town. Most of the inhabitants are subsistence farmers, growing coconut, maize and cassava. The village is fairly isolated and even the daily newspaper is not available.
The area enjoys a good wind regime and wind speeds reach 25-45mph (22-39 knots).
Before the project started, most energy needs of the village were met by single use dry cell batteries, paraffin, diesel and firewood. Many batteries were not disposed properly, which resulted in soil and water contamination. The consumption of fuel wood is a serious factor in deforestation, air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. Children had to use kerosene lamps to study in the evenings, to expensive for most of the families in Tsagwa.
Project objectives
- To create awareness of renewable energy in communities so that it is their energy of choice
- To adopt an innovative approach towards formulating, financing mechanisms to make renewable energy affordable for communities
- To carry out capacity building in renewable energy and sustainable solid waste management techniques
- To design and propagate income generating systems based on solid waste management
- Develop partnerships with institutions who can add value to the core area of renewable energy and solid waste management
Project Activities:
i. Wind regime monitoring
ii. Baseline and Environmental Impact Assessment Survey
iii. Load survey for the 100 customers
iv. Buy and install accessory equipment for one demonstration house in the first quarter. The battery will be charged using 80 W solar panels already in place.
v. Installation and commission communication equipment for Voice/Fax/Data and interface equipment
vi. Preparation of civil work drawings and bill of quantities
vii. Building of the generator foundations and other related works
viii. Assist the community to construct the battery house and other buildings within the community centre, which will be used for income generating activities
ix. Order the wind generator from FORTIS-Wind energy
x. Train 7 young men and seven women in the technical aspects of the wind generator
xi. Promoting of project to local government and other stakeholders
xii. Renewable energy and other relevant training
xiii. Assist the community to establish and start operating the community centre and related activities
xiv. Carry out monitoring and evaluation activities for this project
xv. Establish on site training and site visits for wind energy for the coastal region and Kenya as a whole
xvi. Involve the local government and other stakeholders in promoting renewable energy as a viable tool to develop and create jobs in rural areas.
Livelihood benefits:
1. Electrification will expand the job opportunity base and permit longer hours of
income generating activities
2. The children can use the social whole to study in the evening resulting in improved
education standards.
3. Improved communication will reduce isolation from the population and enhance the
community's social life.
4. Electricity will eliminate the need for candles and kerosene. There will be
improved indoor air quality and higher quality of light for reading.