This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
Published on August 7, 2019, Kenya is one of the few countries that rely heavily on renewable energy options, with over 50% of its energy supply coming from hydro-, wind, and solar power.
The country made history in 2019 when President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned the largest wind energy project in Africa in Loiyangalani District, Marsabit County, comprising 365 wind turbines with a capacity of 850kW each.
However, despite this success, the government is now considering a shift to coal energy, citing its reliability, affordability, and abundance.
But is coal energy a viable option for Kenya? The answer is no, given its significant disadvantages, including massive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, mining destruction, and generation of tonnes of waste after coal is burned.
Developed countries have started shutting down coal power plants due to these environmental concerns, with over 289 plants closing in the USA since 2010.
Kenya should learn from these examples and prioritize a clean energy policy, rather than pursuing coal power plants that could harm the environment and public health.
As a policy expert noted, 'Affordable energy is good, but beyond energy we have life, and why would we turn back to energy options that are being dismissed all over the world just to get a few people employed and companies richer?'
