Chinese govt to construct 50MW solar plant in Garissa

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa (right) addresses a press conference in Nairobi on June 12, 2015 on China- Kenya relations. He revealed that the Chinese government is set to construct a 50-megawatt solar plant in Garissa following an agreement with the Kenyan government. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa told reporters on Friday that the power station will be funded by the Chinese Export-Import Bank.
  • Already, Kenya and China have agreed on the project which could be the largest solar power station in Africa once completed.
  • The Chinese envoy said Kenya was better placed because it has a better legal regime and has a vision to be industrialised by 2030.
  • Dr Liu said his country was educating Chinese companies and expatriates on the dangers of poaching.

The Chinese government is set to construct a solar plant in Garissa following an agreement with the Kenyan government.

Details of the 50-megawatt plant are scanty but Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa told reporters on Friday that the power station will be funded by the Chinese Export-Import Bank.

“There have been several discussions on the Garissa project by both sides for a while now and the preliminary agreement is to invest in areas with low energy supply,” he told a press conference in Nairobi.

“The Export-Import Bank will provide a concessional loan to Kenya in order to complete the renewable energy project.

“The project is still under plan and I expect that there will be a launching ceremony on site very soon,” he added.

Already, Kenya and China have agreed on the project which could be the largest solar power station in Africa once completed.

Dr Liu said the plant will be important for boosting electricity supply in the area and eventually create employment as a way of dealing with radicalisation.

In April, Garissa experienced its worst terrorist attack where 148 people were killed at Garissa University College.

On Friday, Dr Liu said the presence of more energy sources could tame the rising threat of violent extremism by dissuading the youth from illegal activities.

SECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

“Of course there is the challenge of security and infrastructure. But these two areas can be resolved through our partnership. We hope that this project can help create employment.,” he said.

The Chinese government used the press event to outline the status of its industrial cooperation with Kenya.

In January, China selected Kenya to host a pilot sample of technology transfer programme.

The Chinese envoy said Kenya was better placed because it has a better legal regime, has a vision to be industrialised by 2030, has a strong banking system and has influence in the region.

“We are therefore confident that the industrial cooperation with Kenya will be a model for other African countries,” he said.

The Chinese foreign direct investment in Kenya is estimated to be at Sh55 billion, making china the largest source of financing, the largest construction project contractor.

Yet the Chinese have often been accused of a number of problems such as illegal wildlife trafficking and poor human resource policies.

On Friday, Dr Liu said his country was educating Chinese companies and expatriates on the dangers of poaching.

The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi is expected to host a conference in August to take stock of the China-Kenya cooperation in the past two years.