Sosian Energy, a major power player associated with the family of late President Daniel Arap Moi has received a nod by the government to proceed with the establishment of a wind project in Marsabit County.

According to a letter signed by Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, the proposed Sosian Energy plant will have a capacity of 50 Megawatts (MW).

Sosian Energy is part of five companies seeking to build wind power projects in Marsabit County with a combined capacity of 1000MW. The others include state-owned KenGen, Gitson Energy, Kenya Mudhe Wind Power and Portuguese firm Ignite Energy.

Following aproval by the state, the project will be the Moi firm's second venture into the power generating industry.

In 2023, Sosian Energy entered the world of clean energy after it commissioned its Menengai geothermal plant. Upon completion of the 35 MW plant, the company commenced supply of electricity to the national grid in June 2023 at Ksh4.90 per kilowatt-hour in a 25-year deal with the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).

Former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, his son Kigen Moi, and late President Moi's longtime lawyer, Anastacia Kioko Mululu are listed as Sosian Energy's directors.

The Moi family which is easily one of the richest in country and the region, initially faced a financing challenge for the 35 MW Menengai Geothermal power plant after the African Development Bank (AfDB) withdrew its multi-billion shilling funding.

Between July 2023 and February 2024, Kenya generated 8384.95 Gigawatt-hours (GWh). Geothermal accounted for 47.1 per cent (3954.82 GWh), hydro accounted for 24.5 per cent (2062.01 GWh), and wind power rounded off the top three with 15.1 per cent (1271.42 GWh).

Marsabit County is home to the Lake Turkana Wind Power project, the largest of its kind in Africa. According to reports, winds in the area average 11.4 metres per second, making it an ideal location for wind power projects.