With reference to the damage being caused to Kenya and its economy by climate change, what is flood-resistant infrastructure and how can the new railway in the Lapsset Corridor be protected against effects of climate change and flooding.

Flood-Resistant Railways for the Lapsset Corridor

Climate change is bringing more intense and frequent floods to Kenya, threatening the new railway in the Lapsset Corridor. Here’s how flood-resistant infrastructure can be applied:

Floodproofing the Railway:

• Elevated Tracks: Building the railway on well-compacted earth embankments lifts it above potential floodwaters. This is a common and effective strategy.
• Bridge Design: Designing bridges with wider spans and higher clearances allows floodwater to pass through without damaging the tracks or support structures.
• Drainage Systems: Installing efficient drainage systems alongside the railway channels floodwater away, preventing it from accumulating and compromising the tracks.
• Ballast Selection: Using well-drained ballast (the stones supporting the railway ties) allows water to flow through and prevents washouts during floods.

Material Selection:

• Durable Materials: Using strong and durable materials like concrete for bridges and sleepers (railway ties) ensures they can withstand floodwater pressure.
• Flood-resistant Treatments: Consider treating wooden sleepers with water-repellent chemicals to improve their lifespan in flood-prone areas.

Early Warning Systems:

• Real-time Monitoring: Installing real-time flood monitoring systems can provide warnings of impending floods, allowing for temporary closures or rerouting of trains.

Protecting the Lapsset Corridor Railway

Here are additional strategies for flood protection:

• Floodplain Mapping: Identifying high-risk floodplains along the corridor helps with strategic placement of the railway to minimize flood exposure.
• Nature-Based Solutions: Restoring wetlands and mangroves near the railway can act as natural buffers, absorbing and slowing down floodwaters before they reach the tracks.
• Community Engagement: Involving local communities who understand flood patterns can provide valuable insights for infrastructure planning and maintenance.

Renewable Energy and Flood Protection:

While solar farms themselves don’t directly prevent floods, they contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This can potentially lead to less severe floods in the long run. However, solar farms within the Lapsset Corridor should be placed strategically to avoid disrupting natural floodwater management in wetlands or floodplains.

By implementing these strategies, the Lapsset Corridor railway can become more resilient to flooding, safeguarding Kenya’s infrastructure investment and promoting economic growth in a changing climate.

Historical video

Between 30 & 52 trains a day to use new single-track railway travelling at speeds of upto 160 KMh

US $13 Billion Railway

The trains will be electric but also what should be considered for some journeys is Hydrogen trains.

Kenya plans to begin construction in 2025 of a $13.8 billion high-speed single-track electric railway from its Indian Ocean port of Lamu to Ethiopia and South Sudan.

The train’s average energy consumption per kilometre or the route’s energy consumption profile is required to determine the electricity consumption per year for each train and the appropriate renewable energy projects developed to meet this need.

Low emission cement & Concrete

There are several methods that can be implemented in existing cement works to capture carbon dioxide or lower emissions:

1. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): This technology involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions at the source, such as through flue gas scrubbing, and then storing it underground or utilizing it for other purposes. CCS can significantly reduce emissions from cement plants.

2. Energy efficiency improvements: Implementing energy-efficient measures can help reduce emissions in cement works. This can include using more efficient kilns, heat recovery systems, and optimizing the production process to minimize energy consumption.

3. Alternative fuels: Cement works can substitute fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, with low-carbon or carbon-neutral alternative fuels, like biomass, waste-derived fuels, or even municipal solid waste. This can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the combustion of traditional fossil fuels.

4. Blended cements: Cement manufacturers can produce blended cements by mixing the traditional clinker with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash, slag, or limestone filler. These materials can reduce the amount of clinker required, which not only decreases emissions but also conserves natural resources.

5. Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS): This approach involves capturing CO2 emissions and utilizing them in other industrial processes or permanently storing them. CCUS technologies can be integrated into cement works to capture CO2 from flue gas streams and use it for enhanced oil recovery or other applications.

6. Technological advancements: Constant research and development in cement production technologies can help identify new methods for reducing emissions. This includes advancements in kiln design, clinker production, and the use of alternative raw materials.

7. Carbon offsetting: Cement works can also invest in carbon offset projects to neutralize their emissions. This involves supporting initiatives like reforestation, renewable energy projects, or other carbon reduction activities to compensate for the emissions produced during cement production. It is important to note that different solutions may be suitable for specific cement plants depending on their infrastructure, location, and available resources.

Power provided from Hydrogen plants made using Solar & Wind farms

Inner City Trains