Athi River Mining to build coal-fired power plant

22 July 2009

Kenya's third largest cement maker Athi River Mining plans to import coal from South Africa to build a new 29 megawatt coal-fired power plant, it has been reported.

Some of the electricity from the $50 million (£30.4 million) factory will be used at the company's coastal plant, while the rest will be passed on to the Kenya Power & Lighting Company, explained Reuters.

The project is expected to be completed by December 2011 and will be set up next to Athi River Mining's cement factory in Kaloleni.

Managing director of the business Pradeep Paunrana told the news provider the company will save some $2 million a year by generating its own power.

"It's a long-term project," he said. "We are talking to the IFC (International Finance Corporation) and the European Investment Bank and others in the region specialising in infrastructure."

Established in 1974, Athi River Mining now operates in a number of divisions. These include cement, sodium silicate, lime, industrial minerals, fertiliser and special building products.

Category: Energy