Wood fuel and other biomass account for 68 per cent of the total energy consumption followed by petroleum at 22 per cent and electricity at nine per cent. Electricity remains the most sought source of energy in Kenya, and rural electrification is currently being rapidly expanded.
The major sources of electric power generation are:
• Hydro - 51.25 per cent • Thermal oil - 30.8 per cent • Geothermal - 17.7 per cent • Cogeneration - 0.09 per cent • Wind - 0.01 per cent
Crude oil is imported for domestic processing and as refined petroleum products which are mainly used in the transport, commercial and industrial sectors. Coal is mainly used in the industrial sector, particularly in the cement industry.
The hydropower potential in the country has been dramatically reduced in recent years due to shrinking water catchments,
dwindling river flows and the siltation of dams. Subsequently, high power tariffs, power rationing and the shutting down of some power stations were implemented in 2009.
In this regard, there is need to accelerate the development in alternative energy to achieve energy self-sufficiency and enhance socio-economic development. The Energy Act (2006) has recognized this fact, and empowers the Ministry of Energy to:
• Promote the development and use of renewable energy technologies, including but not limited to biomass, biodiesel, bio-ethanol, charcoal, fuel wood, solar, wind, tidal waves, hydropower, biogas and municipal waste;
• Formulate a national strategy for co-ordinating research in renewable energy;
• Provide an enabling
framework for the efficient and sustainable production, distribution and marketing of
Left to right: Firewood used to produce biomass fuels; a solar power plant; a wind turbine; hydro-electric power station pipes; waves which produce tidal power; an erupting geyser and agricultural crops which can be used to produce biomass energy.
biomass, solar, wind, small hydro, municipal waste, geothermal and charcoal;
• Promote the use of fast maturing trees for energy production including biofuels and the establishment of commercial woodlots including peri-urban plantations;
• Promote international co- operation on programmes focusing on renewable energy sources;
• Harness opportunities offered under clean development and other mechanisms including, but not limited to, carbon credit trading to promote the development and exploitation of renewable energy sources, and
• Promote the utilization of renewable energy sources for either power generation or transportation.
Conclusion
Investments in renewable energy need fast-tracking in order to achieve sustainable energy security. Development of policies and laws to provide a framework for development and
implementation of sustainable renewable energy projects is therefore essential. These policies must seek to:
• Encourage and accelerate the adoption of energy efficiencies;
• Spur the development of alternative energy resources;
• Encourage massive
investment in energy resource development and use, and
• Put in place mechanisms for capacity-building in the energy sector.
The Parliamentarian | 2010: Issue Three - Kenya | 31