Invest in wind power technology

Wind power is the key to revolutionizing the energy sector in Kenya. The rural electrification programme in Kenya, whose implementation rests on the shoulders of Kenya Electricity Generation Company, KENGEN , and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company, KPLC, two state corporations charged with power generation and distribution respectively, has not succeeded. This in itself has made wind generators find a ready market in all parts of the country.

Secondly, it is a known fact that carbon dioxide emissions are causing a change in the world climates, therefore it is desirable to reduce the output of carbon dioxide which comes from burning the fossil fuels oil and coal. The only way to do this is to develop the renewable energy sources. As energy prices rise, the value of the wind energy can only increase while its cost will not rise as much.

The people of the Lake-side plains of Kenya live within a potential source of power more useful than an oilfield. This is because they live in what can be described as a giant natural heat engine i.e. the wind circulation system caused by the difference in temperatures of the sun-baked Kano Plains and the cooler waters of Lake Victoria.

Air rises from the plains from about 11.00 a.m. as they heat up; this pulls in air from the lake and a substantial gust blows throughout the area until the land cools down and temperatures equalize at about sunset.

The majority of Kenyans in rural areas rely almost exclusively on biomass-wood, charcoal and organic waste for cooking and heating, given that over 75 percent of the population has no access to grid electricity or other forms of modern commercial energy. Ironically, renewable energies still remain under-utilized despite being abundantly available. However, on a small scale wind electricity is still rather more expensive than centrally generated electricity, if this is available. The main reason for this is the need to use batteries to store electricity for use when the wind is not blowing.



With an average annual income of under US $400 it is estimated that 75 percent of citizens of East Africa have no access to grid electricity due to high connectivity cost, the subsequent bills and maintenance costs.

In recent years changes in the technology of wind power have produced the possibility of off-the-peg generators of a large size which, in conjunction with a National Grid system connecting varied types of power generation, will generate electricity which can complement the other modes at a competitive cost. This is especially useful where the main load is being provided by water power, which can be turned on and off instantly. When the generated electricity is fed into the Grid there is no need for storage on site. The electricity would be used as it is generated.

This type of energy is a readily available resource that if properly utilized could turn around the economy of Kenya, especially in the rural areas where 80 percent of the population resides.

Despite the fact that the government of Kenya is exploring renewable energy sources to meet energy needs in the country it is yet to develop a resource map that could guide those who want to establish large-scale wind-generated energy systems. The high level of investment required in establishing renewable energy generation systems is also hampering the growth of the sector. Due to such constraints I would encourage different individuals to invest in whatever means they can in order to facilitate the establishment of large scale production plants.



Advantages of setting up a locally owned wind power plant.

1. A communally-owned company would feed the profits back to where the wind is and could be a powerful instrument of local development. The main problem would be raising capital for such a large project. But if a private company which builds and operates the power scheme under a concession that will expire at a defined time and would have to assign a part of the profits to the local people then start up capital will no longer be a problem. In addition the plants should pay rent for the land on which they are built thus the local government would benefit by a business tax. On expiration the company should revert to the local people.

2. Operating and maintenance costs for the power plant would be high, but the price of electricity from competing sources is likely to be higher too so that a higher buy back price might be achievable. The larger part of the costs will be the servicing of the capital raised to build the plant - interest and depreciation. Greater wind predictability in Kenya would justify a higher price for electricity delivered to the Kenya Power & Lighting Company.

3. The electricity will be used locally within the country; it will substitute for the import of oil.

4. There will be employment creation for Kenyans during the construction and some employment to operate and maintain the plant. The construction employment will be mostly unskilled and semi-skilled, with some highly skilled engineering, design and installation work. Some of the high-skilled work would be supplied by foreigners/expatriates.

5. The gains to Kenya as a country would be a large indigenous energy supply which could reduce reliance on imported energy.

6. Kenyans would partake in the contribution to preventing the world problem of increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

7. The energy is free and completely renewable.

8. Construction time for the power producing plant is much shorter than that of a typical fossil fuel power plant.