Coal-Key Energy Resource for the Future in Kenya? A Review

Abstract

Coal has been a major contributor to energy security in many developed countries and is projected to continue contributing a significant fraction of global energy demand in the foreseeable future. Although coal power generation has been associated with numerous environmental implications, technological advances in the mining sector have enabled the mining of coal with minimal environmental impacts, especially in major coal-producing countries. In Kenya where inadequate energy supply is a major deterrent to economic growth, the discovery of coal reserves in the country presents a suitable opportunity for the country to address its energy security challenges. The challenge is how the exploitation of this resource can be done sustainably. This article explores the potential for sustainable coal mining in Kenya to address energy security challenges in the country. However, as it will be discussed in the paper, sustainable coal mining is often met with many challenges which include lack of finances, lack of technology, poor conditions of the physical environment, and unsupportive laws and regulations. Therefore, the article concludes that there are adequate ways and technologies that can be adapted in Kenya for sustainable coal mining. However, the decision as to whether coal mining should be embraced in the country should put into consideration the amount and nature of available coal reserves, availability of finances, availability of technologies, physical environmental conditions and the associated laws and regulations.