Yes, we need it and nuclear power, hydro plants and more geothermal plants. Why? Because as a nation we need to industrialize to develop, grow wealth and end unemployment. Our 2400MW current output is just enough for lighting and small industries. Our power distribution networks are only catching up recently thanks to the last mile power connection projects, high voltage power lines projects, 200 power plants across the country and connections of schools for laptops program.
Solar and wind are too erratic and unrealiable to industrialize, that’s why they have never been considered as load power. Non of the current industrialized nations depend of them. On Lamu coal plant, its 1000MW is to power all Lappset projects I.e 35 berths modern new Lamu Port, Lappset SGR, Lamu special economic zone, Lamu Airport, Isiolo Tourist city and all towns in Northern Kenya from Lamu, Garissa, Garsden, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit etc. Lamu was picked since Kitui coal plant failed to take off after residents and investor, county and national government failed to agree on Kitui coal. Too much unrealistic demands made the venture not viable. Coal power works well only on site where coal is mined or at the coast such that its loaded directly from the ships to the plant. Transportation of coal on road is expensive and cheaper on rail but much better on water.
Amu power picked a site in rural Lamu away from Lamu town which is a UNESCO site. However its at the creek where it plans to build a small dock for a few ships to deliver the coal. Amu power picked a new revolutionary clean coal technology plant designed by usa/China that recycles the pollutants to neutral gas therefore minimises pollution to less than diesel plants. Your car engines will pollute the air more than this coal plant. Because of this standards the Chinese firm building it has agreed to put up a $50 million quality guarantee bond that it will cashed by GoK if the plants doesn’t meet the environmental requirements set by Nema. For that reason they are sending 1000 Chinese inspectors to supervise the 10000 local workers and every detail of the construction. Any leaks will be liable to them and the repairs needed.
Other load based power plants have different timelines from conception to going live. Geothermal wells needs a year for exploration to find successful wells, 2 years well test to get sufficient data on whether its productive or not. 1 year to secure finances to build on successful wells, 3 years to build if contractor is fast. Seven years. Hydro takes roughly 5-7 years, nuclear 10 years. Coal 3-4 years. We need all of them to industrialize. Right now we have excess power of 240MW and our electric distribution across the country is at 68%. That’s a huge success of Jubilee government considering in 2013 it stood at 30%. When we reach 90% we will not be having any excess power but praying other power plants have been commissioned. Right now we are at advanced stage of getting cheap power $6-8 cents 1000 MW Ethiopian power. Solar power is good during the day but costs between $10-15 cents, wind at $12-14 but erratic. Nuclear is the cheapest followed by Hydro the geothermal and finally coal.
Lastly our current needs are sorted but as a nation 2400MW is too little. CS Trade Adan pushed through the Special Economic Zones act in parliament for 3 yeard. Its now law. SEZ authority board has been formed and staff being recruited. Its envisions SEZ in all our 47 counties as manufacturing and industrial hubs. They will need roads, rail, ports, loads of POWER, workforce and auxiliary services. Right now SEZ Eldoret by PPP was signed in China recently, Dongo Kungu is due once the bypass is complete. Naivasha SEZ is due once SGR reaches there. 30,000 acres is been acquired by NLC.
@Lipsy our resident power expert. Feel free to point out corrections on my post.