In Summary
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Construction of the Lamu coal power station begins after the signing of a major deal between China Power Global and Amu Power
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The plant is expected to inject 1,050MW into the power grid and will contribute to a stable power supply.
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Construction was initially slated for September 2015
The proposed Lamu coal power station in Kenya is set to be constructed after the signing of a $1.9 billion deal between China Power Global and Amu Power, the country’s Energy Ministry has announced.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Alfred Keter said that the Lamu Coal Power Station is one of the biggest plans under the public-private partnership framework. Explaining on the development of the coal power plant Mr Keter said that talks were on final stages to pave way for the construction of the project.
“What is remaining which we are working on is the letter of support which we’ve given them the standard, they’ve made comments, which is still now between Treasury and the Attorney General, they’ve also signed the LAPSSET lease. If all goes well they can do their ground-breaking by June, July,” he said.
LAPSSET is Eastern Africa’s largest infrastructure project bringing together Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Keter also revealed that the project has already started the process for the transmission line, “the 400kV line from Lamu to Kitui to Nairobi which we’ve awarded to three contractors already,” he added.
The plant is expected to inject 1,050MW into the power grid and will contribute to a stable power supply.
“It is important because it’s a base load. Like now, we closed down Masinga until last week. Kenya has been depending on hydros and because of the advanced weather condition we are experiencing a lot of problems,” he said.
“Its biggest selling point is however, is that it would provide a cheap source of power. We’re saving a lot in terms of kWh,” Keter noted.
The coal plant is set to be developed on 865 acres of land and feature a 210 meter tall smoke stack, which would become East Africa’s tallest structure.
The project has been subjected to delays as the construction was expected to begin in September 2015 and last approximately 21 months.
Kenya has in recent years invested heavily in energy aimed at giving the East African nation economic impetus. The Lake Turkana Wind Project is nearing completion and is expected to inject about 310 megawatts to the national grid. Others include the Kipeto Wind power project and the Olkaria V Geothermal project.