Wind Powers Green Living Project in Kenya (2009)
Switzerland-based Jane and Robert Jann have been building a model for sustainable living in Awendo, Kenya, for the several years. Along with food gardens and a home built using low-impact construction techniques, this site includes small-scale wind power to pump drinking water. The couple hopes that the site will serve as case study for sustainable development and eventually supply UV-purified drinking water for people living in the area.
Jane recently corresponded with Southwest Windpower about this project.
SWWP: What inspired you and your husband to begin this project at Awendo?
JJ: This was a personal project, with a strong wish to make a difference in the communities. We are both involved with Kenya.
SWWP: Tell us about yourselves. How can you dedicate so much time to this project?
JJ: We live in Switzerland most of the time. My husband works most of the time as a consultant, hence our many absences from Switzerland. I am a full time entrepreneur, working most of the time on our different projects in Switzerland (our base) and Kenya (my homeland).
SWWP: Can you tell us about your project in Awendo?
JJ: We started out committed to making an environmentally-friendly home. Our aim was to bring into the community around us some basic and necessary services like clean drinking water. In the project home, we drilled a 135-meter (440 ft) well. The water is pumped directly into a 6000-liter water tank. Later when we have enough energy to pump through the ultraviolet filter, we will pump water directly into sterile containers and give to the neighbors. Three immediate adjoining homes have expressed a wish to be connected to the water supply. We will consider this option as well when our energy production is ready.
Other activities we started out with: 1) Building sustainable houses to impart knowledge on how to build with SSBs (stabilised soil blocks - see pictures) in order to enable the people to build cheap affordable houses; and 2) Planting of vegetables and useful ornamental trees that bear fruit.
SWWP: How do you plan to purify water for the surrounding community?
JJ: The water is pumped directly into a 6000-liter water tank. Later when we have enough energy to pump through the ultraviolet filter, we will pump water directly into sterile containers and give to the neighbors. Three immediate adjoining homes have expressed a wish to be connected to the water supply. We will consider this option as well when our energy production is ready.
SWWP: How many households or individuals will eventually benefit?
JJ: According to the last censors sometime mid-2007, there would be close to 400-500 people, a mix of adults and children, to be supplied with clean drinking water.
SWWP: Tell us about the wind turbine the site uses.
JJ: We bought the initial Whisper 200 in Switzerland from a dealer in 2006. We installed it in Kenya in December 2006. The whole wind turbine project was put together by my husband, Robert, who made all the calculations for the installation after we bought the wind turbine. We also brought the guy-wires from Switzerland. The turbine is on a 6 m (20-ft) tower, made from metal bought locally in Kenya.
SWWP: How will this project home serve as an example?
JJ: All the necessary Kenyan government officials within the district (Member of Parliament, District Officers, Area Senior Chiefs, District Police post, bank mangers, local business people etc.) know of the project (due to its unique position as a first individual effort. But it was not intended directly as a model. There are NGOs I worked with during my fact finding period into the project: KWAHO, Kenya Water for Health Organisation, Rongo District; SANA, Sustainable Aid in Africa; Kisumu and Practical Action East Africa, Nairobi Office as well as the Kisumu office. I am currently looking into actively involving either the Government or NGOs with common interests.
SWWP: Do you have plans to take this model elsewhere?
JJ: The Lake Victoria project will most likely evolve along the same lines as the Awendo project. We wish to make these projects happen, but time and money are of the essence. And as long as we have to work jobs to keep the projects going, it means a long, slow process. I make time to go to Kenya twice a year, mid year for a month or two and together with Robert for our December holidays.
If we find a suitable organization to take over our project in Awendo, we will establish the Lake Victoria site as an owner-occupied lodge/resort incorporating buildings that preserve the environment. We aim to integrate the site with the local fishing community. With wind energy, we are planning again to pump water from a well. Although local residents live near the lake, the water from the lake is not clean enough for drinking unless it is boiled or treated with chemicals.
The lodge would use wind, solar and biomass as the only energy sources. The biomass will come from Hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant that smothers the lakeshore, sometimes for months at a time. I am working on a business plan to present to would-be investors. I am looking to establish a place that would allow the guests to get involved in the communal activities during their visits, as well as create employment where currently there is none.
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