By Oscar Obonyo
The proposed 1,000 MW power plant at the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex in Lamu could supply electricity to a major industrial hub. But if it relies heavily on petroleum coke, it could also increase greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, raising questions about whether Kenya is making the best use of its renewable energy resources.
The plant’s fuel, expected emissions, electricity demand and any plans to supply surplus power to the national grid need to be clearly established to determine the project’s environmental footprint and its implications for Kenya’s long-term energy choices.
Petroleum coke (petcoke) is a carbon-rich solid byproduct generated during the thermal cracking process of crude oil refining, which is used in electricity-generating power plants. The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas inventory methodology puts its carbon content at more than 90 per cent in typical samples, with an average of about 92.3 per cent in the samples used for its calculations.
Burning petcoke releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that drives global warming, and can also release sulphur oxides, fine particles and other pollutants that affect air quality and human health.
For Lamu, the concern extends beyond emissions from the power plant as pollution could affect nearby communities and the coastal environment, while additional greenhouse gas emissions would contribute to climate change and its associated risks. Fishing, tourism and other livelihoods depend on healthy marine and coastal ecosystems.
The plant’s environmental assessment should therefore disclose its projected annual greenhouse gas emissions, the emissions produced per unit of electricity, and the measures proposed to control air pollution. Independent monitoring should verify compliance with environmental standards, with results made accessible to the public.
Kenya already generates most of its electricity from renewable sources, including geothermal, hydropower, wind and solar. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report for the financial year ending June 2025 showed that renewables accounted for 80.17 per cent of the electricity mix. Geothermal contributed 39.51 per cent, hydropower 24.21 per cent, wind 13.18 per cent and utility-scale solar 3.27 per cent.
This renewable electricity base gives Kenya an opportunity to attract industries seeking to reduce the carbon emissions associated with their operations. Introducing a large fossil-fuel power source could weaken that advantage if it displaces renewable generation or locks the country into high-emission infrastructure for decades.
Kenya nevertheless needs reliable and affordable electricity to support industrialisation, businesses and a growing population. The question is whether the proposed plant offers the most environmentally responsible and cost-effective way to meet that demand.
The project should disclose how much electricity the refinery will consume, how much could reach the national grid, and under what contractual arrangements. Its costs and emissions should be compared with alternatives such as geothermal power, wind, solar, energy storage, improved energy efficiency and recovery of waste heat from industrial processes.
The refinery’s environmental footprint cannot be separated from its effects on people living and working in Lamu. Fishing grounds, agricultural land, water resources and coastal ecosystems support livelihoods that could be affected by industrial development.
The project proponent and relevant authorities should publish accessible information about land requirements, water use, pollution risks, environmental assessments and proposed safeguards. Residents need meaningful opportunities to raise concerns and influence decisions before they become irreversible.
Recent court developments concerning land associated with the project underline the importance of continued attention to land rights and community concerns. The lifting of an earlier construction suspension did not, by itself, resolve every underlying question about ownership, displacement and livelihoods.
Where displacement is necessary, lawful compensation, appropriate resettlement assistance and measures to restore livelihoods must be provided. The assessment should account for people whose income depends on fishing, farming and access to shared natural resources, not just the formal market value of land.
Environmental and social monitoring should also be independent, with findings published and corrective action required when standards are not met. Clear grievance procedures can help affected residents seek redress without having to rely solely on lengthy legal processes.
Base Titanium’s experience in Kwale may offer useful lessons on community engagement and local benefits over the life of a major industrial project. Such experience should be examined critically to identify practices that could help Lamu’s communities participate in development and manage its costs.
The refinery’s performance should be judged against published environmental and social targets, not general promises of responsible development. Key indicators should include greenhouse gas emissions, air and water quality, hazardous-waste management and the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems. Energy reporting should disclose fuel consumption, electricity generation, grid exports and emissions intensity. Local employment, procurement and livelihood restoration should also be tracked.
Lamu’s cultural heritage requires appropriate protection, including assessments of how the refinery and related infrastructure could affect the wider coastal landscape and historic sites.
These commitments must have clear budgets, responsible institutions, independent verification and consequences for non-compliance.
Whereas Kenya needs industrial investment and decent jobs, economic growth should not come at the expense of its renewable energy advantage, coastal ecosystems or the livelihoods of communities closest to the project.
The test is whether the refinery can deliver economic benefits while controlling pollution, limiting avoidable greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the natural resources on which Lamu depends. That requires transparent planning and enforceable environmental safeguards before the project’s most consequential decisions become difficult to reverse.
The writer is a Champion for Sustainable Development, Industry & Equity, and Advocate for a Resilient Africa
