Geothermal energy can stop power cuts

After enduring the inconveniences caused by a power-rationing schedule that ended last month, Kenyans should be elated with news that more consistent power supply is on the way, courtesy of the newly-formed Geothermal Development Company (GDC).

Geothermal electricity is obtained by converting steam from underground wells into power. The corporation says it could begin doing this on a large scale as early as next year. We acknowledge the overwhelming support the project, which is expected to pump 200 Mega Watts of power annually to the national grid, has been accorded by Government and external financiers.

From an economic point of view, the use of geothermal power will offer a big stir up to the fledgling economy. The benefits cannot be gainsaid. It will reduce the cost of energy in times of crisis — a benefit that will pass on to consumers in the form of lower electricity bills and reduction in consumer prices of manufactured products. Currently, Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) sells power to consumers at about nine US cents per Kilowatt Hour (KwH). This is because the power it procures from independent power producers using thermal generators is expensive. The power is mainly derived from diesel-powered generators and KPLC buys it at a massive 17 US cents per KwH.

According to GDC chief executive Dr Silas Simiyu, the corporation hopes to sell its power to KPLC at discounted rates of between four and five US cents per Kilowatt Hour (KwH). Initial studies indicate the country’s geothermal potential is more than 7.000 Mega Watts.

That there are 14 high-potential sites along the Rift Valley is even more enchanting news.

But this will not deter us from asking important questions: Why has the Government been reluctant to exploit this resource before, especially in the face of incessant power shortages in the past? It is shameful such an important alternative energy source was shrouded in secrecy. Venture capitalists push for keeping such technologies locked until they squeeze every last shilling out of existing economic situations.

We hope this was not the case in our situation.

New climatic order

Many forward-looking business leaders will see opportunities in the new energy source’s prospects to curb carbon emissions. Failure to change could be costly. High-polluting practices like over-reliance on diesel do not provide industry with incentive to innovate and adapt.

We can only fall behind competitors in neighbouring nations if we continue our old ways.

We have relied too much on expensive and sometimes unpredictable sources of energy like fuel and rain in the past and it is increasingly clear that, in the long term, traditional sources need to be supplemented by cleaner energy sources. If we continue to use expensively generated emergency power from diesel, we will only have ourselves to blame when the world ushers in the new climatic order that urges more use of greener fuels.

Many countries are seeking ways to cut on their carbon emissions and Kenya should be no exception. We must take away the false economic advantage of fossil fuels — free rein to pollute the atmosphere — to fully exploit the benefits of low-pollution technologies like geothermal energy.

Countries in the developed world have taken the lead and are already investing in alternative energy sources that are less destructive to the environment. This gives us even more incentive to support the initiative.

There are many winners when clean energy is adopted for the mass market. This gives as many people as is possible opportunity to access cheaper electricity.

Since new technologies initially tend to be more expensive, the Government should be congratulated for setting aside Sh6 billion this financial year to fund the initial phase of the project.

In the same breath, we would also like to offer the State plaudits for standing as surety for the hesitant investors.

There is every promise that geothermal energy will offer us a cheaper, viable and more sustainable source of energy.