Investors fight against a general electrical plan to buy a coal-fired power plant in Kenya

In a public letter to GE, nearly five dozen institutional and individual shareholders asked the company to give up its intention to acquire a 20% stake in a planned coal-fired power plant. 000 megawatts on the island of Lamu in Kenya. This move follows years of controversy over the Kenyan government's plans to build East Africa's first coal-fired power plant on Lamu, a United Nations World Heritage Site

. region, a tourist destination that is one of the best preserved Swahili settlements.

Who are these shareholders?

It is unclear exactly how much GE stock the signatories of the letter possess. The information was not included in the missive, and their spokesperson said that she did not have information.

GE did not immediately respond to a request by email.

An association of more than 70 public sector pension funds based in the United Kingdom and managing approximately $ 300 million in assets. "We are alarmed by the apparent risks associated with the construction and operation of the coal plant," says the letter, delivered to GE on Wednesday.

"The power station will have a negative impact on human health"

The plans are also "in contradiction" with GE's stated support for the 2015 Paris agreement to combat climate change, was -he adds. "Bringing plants that incorporate marginally improved technology but lock the use of coal for decades is the wrong direction for Kenyans and the global climate," he said.

Kenya's Promise of Emissions

Kenya pledged to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 as part of the Paris Agreement , where nearly 200 countries have agreed to fight against global warming

. Foster School of Business, University of Washington

"This is unlikely to have a significant impact on the company's decision or value," he told the Thomson Foundation Reuters. "If it influences the decision, it was an initial investment."

GE signed an agreement in May to design and help build the factory with Amu Power, a consortium tasked with delivering the $ 2. Billion project. With the agreement, GE, through its subsidiaries, will also take a stake in Amu. VOA