By Eng. Jared O. Othieno – As the world moves towards a new regime of Electric Vehicles (EVs), chances are, your future car will be powered not by fossil but by geothermal electricity say from Menengai in Nakuru or Paka in Baringo. Even your favourite food will be cooked by geothermal power. Already most of your electricity for lighting and industrial production is from geothermal.
Here’s why: The world, Kenya included, is on an epic journey of decarbonization. Now we’re at the energy transition juncture. And for Africa, since COP27 will take place in Egypt later in the year, it means a just transition. For Kenya, geothermal is our anchor. Vacating an old order to a new one requires audacity, commitment, and luck. In geothermal energy, Kenya has a combination of the three ideals.
Kenya’s quest for geothermal energy dating back decades ago is now paying premium dividends during this age of energy transition. At 949 MW installed geothermal capacity, Kenya is making bold and admirable strides in green energy. Today, the country is ranked sixth globally in geothermal exploitation. Geothermal is a green magnet par excellence ticking all the key boxes hence the bedrock of our energy tower. That is why our national Power and Transmission Masterplan, 2016; Medium Term Plan 2018-2022 identifies geothermal energy as the least-cost and environmentally friendly choice for new electricity generation.
Scheme of things
Geothermal is indigenous and abundant. Its centrality in the larger scheme of things – going green and building a resilient economic environment cannot be gainsaid.
And it fits well in the mix of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7) on energy. Indeed, a robust geothermal environment will accelerate energy access, cut costs, and improve lifestyles.
The versatile nature of geothermal is incredible. This informs our pursuit of innovative enterprises to holistically utilise the resource. Since only 20% of heat from steam is used to generate electricity, 80% has been going to waste. GDC is designing projects that will utilise part of the 80%. We’re adopting technology that will capture and deploy the heat for horticulture farming, leisure and recreation and industrial processes.
Today, for instance, we are pasteurizing milk at Menengai using geothermal heat. It’s profitable. Scaled up, investors in dairy have a goldmine. That’s why we’re in an MoU with the County Government of Nakuru and Baringo to establish geothermal resource heat parks. Such parks will attract investors in the manufacturing sector angling for affordable and reliable heat. That way, we shall further help to decarbonise the economy and open vast new job opportunities.
This reality puts a lot of expectations on our shoulders as core industry actors. We’re rolling out an elaborate development mechanism that will support the implementation of this strategic quest. Our projects in Menengai, Paka, Silali and Korosi are all promising.
Of course, geothermal is one of the jewels in the green energy assemblage. That is why we’re also alive to the realities of SDG 13 which calls for “urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”. Indeed, our medium target of availing 1065 MW by 2030 means that Kenya will escape using 1.8 million tons of heavy oil per year to generate power.
The country will also save about $1 trillion for not using diesel to generate an equivalent amount of power. Furthermore, even at 90 percent availability, the 1065MW geothermal power will displace an equivalent of 4. 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. That’s massive. It’s a direct inhibitor of Greenhouse Gases (GHE). By every measure, geothermal energy is the holy grail. It is at the core of green infrastructure architecture.
First published in the Business Daily on September 16, 2022.
