Efficiency will reduce the cost of energy

The tall, smooth wooden poles that support electricity infrastructure are a common sight on our highways and roads. While propping up electricity, these poles have often been responsible for felling down thousands of trees. They also don’t come cheap. Last year, Kenya Power issued a multi-billion shillings tender for supply of 1.9 million wooden poles. Another tender was issued this year in May, paving the way for more billions to be made from these wooden power anchors.

In 2011, Kenya Power rolled out a concrete poles project that sought to erect concrete poles in areas prone to fire, water and termite damage. Although extremely expensive compared to their wooden counterparts, these poles may last for at least 50 years, twice the lifespan of wooden poles. Consequently, a Chinese concrete poles factory has set up shop in Nairobi. A local company is also revving up its production of concrete poles.

Integrity and accountability must be the name of the game in any transition to other power poles, whether concrete or fibre glass, as has also been announced.

In the same way the interests of a country shouldn’t be sacrificed on the altar of individual greed, the wellbeing of future generations shouldn’t fall prey to today’s business needs.

The most worrying aspect of concrete poles is their greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, “the production of clinker, the principal component of cement, emits carbon dioxide.” In addition, the whole process of cement production is energy intensive. Accordingly, this has contributed to at least five per cent of overall global emissions, embedding cement production in the top-five emitters category.

These facts are not meant to demonise cement, which remains a critical component of our country’s industrialisation and economic growth aspirations. Rather, the country needs to be honest and accountable in its environmental audit of concrete poles.

What would massive production of concrete poles do to our ecosystem and livelihoods in the long term?

The fact that industrialised nations have embraced unsustainable growth doesn’t mean we must do the same!

As a middle ground, concrete poles may be used sparingly having it in mind that Kenyans must be encouraged to grow trees intended for sustainable production of poles. While commissioning the 140 megawatt Ol-Karia IV geothermal power plant, President Uhuru Kenyatta made it clear that the plant would assist in lowering electricity costs. Geothermal is a good example of clean, green growth that doesn’t shortchange our future generations.

The infrastructure for distributing such clean electricity should seek to strike a similar balance between short-term goals of economic growth and long-term goals of environmental sustainability. Any form of Inefficiency by KPLC and other players is unfortunately transferred to consumers! Think, green, Act green!