Kenyans protest bid to build East African's first coal plant

Scores of Kenyans on Wednesday A project to build a power station near the Lamu Archipelago, a popular tourist spot that includes a UNESCO World Heritage site and vibrant marine life.

The power station, which has been in the planning stages for about six years, has faced fierce resistance from local activists and local communities, and the National Environmental Court is on the agenda of the project.

A group of about 200 protesters carrying black coffins emblazoned with white skulls, a chimney spewing smoke chimney, marched through downtown Nairobi on Wednesday chanting "coal is poisonous!"

"There is no need to build centralized dirty sources of energy, especially when the country is taking the lead in Africa with an 85-percent renewable energy base," said COALonize Campaign Coordinator, Omar Elmawi.

"With access to wind, solar, geothermal and tidal energy sources, Kenya's renewable energy is cost-effective and causes harm to the people and environment."

Campaigners argue the project is a costly and damaging venture that makes little sense at a time when the world's largest energy company.

"Greenpeace representative Fredrick Njehu told AFP," Countries are divesting away from coal and even China is moving away from coal investment towards renewable energy.

However, the government sees it as a way to spur economic growth, create jobs, and ensure Kenya's energy supply in the future.

'Costly error'

Experts have raised serious concerns about the project.

The US-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) this week released a report of a series of miscalculations, 10 times more than estimated.

The report entitled "The Wrong Choice For Kenya" said the 981-megawatt facility would be a "costly error" for the country, with the 25-year contract requiring payment of $ 360 million annually.

It says that Kenya's energy demand, growth, growth, and growth would be "grossly underutilized".

"The government's own badysis demonstrates that … Kenya's abundant renewable resources are needed in the country until 2029, at the earliest".

The bulk of the $ 2 trillion project is being financed by China and will be built by Amu Power, a joint venture between Kenyan firm and Gulf Energy. Construction will be carried out by China Power Global.

It will be the first coal-fired power station in East Africa, and will be involved in mining operations.