Energy audit save firms more than Sh10 billion

By WINSLEY MASESE

Efficient use of energy is central to reducing the cost of production and improving the competitive edge of Kenyan goods in the regional and global market, as senior government official has said.

 It is estimated that more than 20 per cent of primary energy goes to waste due to inefficient technology, equipment and appliances. Petroleum and Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir noted that efficient usage of energy will make Kenya an investors’ destination. High-energy costs have make Kenya uncompetitive globally — which have seen the exit of more investors.

“We want to make Kenya a low energy cost country and attract new investment hence the need to use energy efficiently,” he said during the Energy Management Award gala in Nairobi on Friday evening. Chirchir noted that though there has been significant rise in demand for energy usage in the country, there is no parallel growth in generation hence the need to use what is available efficiently.

Between 2004 and 2014, companies that participated in an energy audit exercise, initiated by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) saved about Sh10 billion. KAM has been at the forefront in promoting effective use of energy in the country’s industrial and commercial companies and at the same save the environment.

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Production costs

Chirchir said the Government aims to inculcate a culture of saving energy and reducing production costs. The awards promote excellence in energy management and recognises enterprises that have achieved reduction in their energy consumption through implementation of energy.

“The Centre for Energy Efficiency Conservation (CEEC) at KAM is a product of the ministry created to spearhead efforts to save energy in the country. We want to optimise energy use in the country by auditing its usage and CEEC seeks to promote the resource’s efficient utilisation,” he said. Kenya Association Manufacturers Chief Executive Betty Maina said since the launch of the programme has helped companies audit their energy expenditure and adjust the usage downwards where necessary. “This means that energy that would have gone to waste has been saved and besides, emergency producers were kept at their minimum,” she noted.

However, Maina decried that the shortage of qualified energy audit managers might hold back efforts to promote efficiency energy in the country. Acting Energy Regulatory Commission Fredrick Nyang’ said that since the start of the year, companies that observe efficient energy usage have saved about Sh164 million. Bidco Oil Ltd emerged the 2014 overall winner with Sarova Whitesands Hotel emerging winner under the best service sector award.

Under the Green Building award, Catholic University of Eastern Africa was the best. University of Nairobi, crowned the Green architect, department of architectural and building of the year award.