Hewani Energy is investing USD 250 million (approximately Ksh 33 billion) in a landmark renewable energy project in Kandebene Sub-Location, Tigania West Constituency, Meru County.
The Meru Wind-Solar Energy Project, set to be completed within three years, is expected to generate 220 megawatts of power, serving over 400,000 households.
The project, which is part of the state BottomUp Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and universal electricity access to rural areas for economic growth, was among several major initiatives launched recently by President William Ruto during his development tour of the Mt. Kenya region.
A few weeks after the launch, top national and county officials, investors and local residents visited the site to assess progress and sensitise the community on the project’s benefits.
Tigania West Deputy County Commissioner Faith Murage said the government was committed to supporting green energy initiatives under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
She emphasised that ongoing community sensitisation would ensure residents fully understand the project’s scope and long-term benefits.
Meru County Investment and Development Corporation Director Winnie Mukiri stated that the county held a five per cent stake in the project, with the potential to scale up to 20 per cent.
She added that legal teams had reviewed the agreements between Hewani Energy and landowners, confirming the project’s viability.
According to Hewani Energy’s Economic Development Manager Victor Mutuerandu, the hybrid facility will harness 200 megawatts from wind turbines and 20 megawatts from solar photovoltaic systems spread across 100 acres.
The energy will be stored in a 10 MWh battery and transmitted to the national grid via the Isiolo Sub-Station, located just 10 kilometres away.
Mutuerandu revealed that 32 wind turbines will be installed, and the company already holds environmental approvals from both the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
He noted that community involvement had been integral to the project, with over 1,800 option and license agreements signed with 2,000 local landowners.
He added that the company supported the community in acquiring land ownership documents, which were issued around the time of the presidential visit.
With proper documentation in place, Hewani Energy is set to enter into long-term leases of 20–30 years with the landowners, depending on the power purchase agreement secured.
Mutuerandu stated that landowners hosting turbines will earn a minimum of Ksh 200,000 annually, while others will receive between Ksh 10,000 and Ksh 20,000 per acre per year.
Additionally, 1.5 per cent of gross revenue from electricity sales will go to landowners and 0.5 per cent will be channelled into a community trust focusing on education, health, agriculture, and water projects.
He clarified that the area designated for the project is uninhabited, free of settlements, graves, or shrines and home to no critically endangered species.
Mutuerandu assured that robust grievance mechanisms were in place and that the company maintained an open-door policy for resolving community concerns.
Speaking on behalf of residents, Julius Kaleria, a local landowner, said the project had accelerated access to land titles, a long-standing challenge for many in the area.
The project is jointly owned by Seriti, a South African renewable energy firm with a 75 per cent stake, and Japan’s Eurus Energy, which holds the remaining 25 per cent.
Since its inception in 2014, Hewani Energy has been active in developing wind and solar projects across East Africa.
