“The Ministry of Environment is quite clear that there is no clean coal; coal is dirty, there is nothing like clean coal.” – Prof. Judi Wakhungu.

Currently, there is a national issue in Kenya (other than the elections) as the government seeks to use coal as an energy source where Sh204.3 billion will be used to build a coal power plant in Lamu. The coal plant by Amu Power will generate 1,050 megawatts to the national electricity grid.

What is coal power?

Coal is a fossil fuel made up of prehistoric plants and animal matter that have been heated and have survived all previous environmental occurrences.

Coal power is the combustion of fossilized carbon (coal) to produce heat. Coal-fired power plants use this heat/steam to spin turbines in order to produce electricity.

Coal is incredibly important. It’s one of the cheapest sources of energy available. It’s efficient for making electricity, and it’s one of the most abundant and reliable energy sources in the world, even when compared to oil.

However, coal has one huge shortcoming. It’s very dirty and people occasionally die from its pollution. When coal is burnt, it releases chemicals such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury, and carbon dioxide, not forgetting to mention a number of various particulates. These leaks into the air and water resulting in smog, soot, acid rain, global warming, and toxic air emissions. They can cause lung cancer, various heart diseases, respiratory diseases, and other related health problems. Coal also releases massive solid waste into the environment.

What about Clean Coal?

Over the years, in an effort to appease people troubled about dying to get the cheapest source of electricity, the coal industry heavily invested in ‘clean coal’.

However, ‘clean coal’ is still the ‘good’ old dirty coal. It has only been handled differently in the process of turning it into energy. The term ‘clean coal’ is actually a designed shorthand for Clean Coal Technologies, which reduces the number of pollutants released in the production process.

Carbon capture and storage, oxyfuel combustion, low nitrous oxide burners, electrostatic precipitators and wet fuel gas desulphurisation are all examples of ‘Clean Coal’ Technological methods used to ‘clean coal’.

Despite all the efforts that make coal ‘clean’, environmental activists and concerned parties believe the term ‘clean coal’ is just one big lie, as it will still not prevent pollution. Methods used to make coal ‘clean’ are also very expensive and energy intensive and all these resources will definitely need to come from somewhere. These technologies are even more expensive compared to clean energy. Some methods are still being tested and have not been fully actualized. So, why should Kenya be used a testing hub for ‘Clean Coal Technologies’? Remember, clean coal is non-renewable.

Does Kenya Need a Coal Power Plant?

Kenya does undeniably face an electricity energy deficit. However, we should invest more in clean renewable energy to boost our energy production.

Clean energy sources in Kenya include Solar Power, Wind Power and Geothermal which are readily available in Kenya. The government has already heavily invested in wind energy and geothermal energy, so, why all the fuss about coal?

These are areas we should continue to invest in. People have argued that renewable energy is expensive. This is true, as the installation of solar panels and wind power turbines can cost excessively much compared to a simple coal power plant. However, this argument is only short-lived and does not consider the fate of the future generation. The environmental impact of clean energy offsets the harmful damage fossil fuels leave on the environment and us humans.

The Coal Power Plant proposal in Lamu has been in existence since 2013. It is projected as a viable power source as the coal itself will be used in the mining and production processes. The Lamu Coal Plant could, however, be a personal political propaganda and a money-minting opportunity for few individuals. Kenyans are only being blinded and incited on how coal is very reliable and that Clean Coal Technologies will be used.

International and local environmental activists, as well as concerned parties, have not let the Lamu Coal project slide through. Initiatives and campaigns such as Save Lamu, #DeCOALonize Kenya from Coal, #CleanEnergyKe and other individuals have chosen to speak out on the impact of coal on not only the environment but also people. They call for the government to revert their decision of having a Coal plant in Lamu and invest in Renewable energy. Clean energy that will benefit every individual and not a selected few in the country. Clean energy that will ensure the country thrives today and extends to future generations. Clean energy that is entirely for all.

Clean Energy Kenya. Image Source

DeCOALonize Kenya from Coal. Image Source

DeCOALonize Kenya from Coal. Image Source 

One can get involved in Public Hearings against the Lamu Coal Plant and get involved.

Lamu Coal Plant Public Hearing. 

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