Coal power firm seeking regulator nod

Promoters of Kenya’s first coal-fired power plant have applied for the energy regulator’s approval to generate and supply electricity ahead of the construction of the Sh200 billion facility.

Amu Power Company — the consortium that won the bid to set up the plant — is set to apply for the licence from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to produce electricity, with work due to start towards the end of the year.

Wananchi opposed to the construction of the 1,050-megawatt (MW) project have 15 days from yesterday to express their reservations to the ERC.

“Any public or local authority, person or body of persons desirous of making any representations on or objections to the application or to the grant of the licence should do so by letter addressed to the ERC,” Amu said in a media notice yesterday.

Several civil society activists have protested against the coal plant, saying its emissions would pollute the pristine air of the coastal town of Lamu and pose health hazards. But Amu officials have in the recent past sought to allay the fears, saying they have lined up safety technologies.

The consortium has a power purchase agreement with electricity distributor Kenya Power, that will buy the coal-fired electricity at Sh7.5 (7.52 US cents) per kilowatt hour for onward sale to homes and businesses.