Biogas keeps Kenya in darkness

By Fredrick OburaLocal alternative energy innovators are asking the Government to help promote the uptake and use of biogas in the country.The innovators say a change in attitude towards use of biogas would help prevent loses resulting from erratic power supply especially during dry season.Agnes Marete, a Director of Skylink, an alternative energy firm, says Kenya has abundant waste, from animals, garbage and sewerage, which could be used to generate alternative energy to supplement the hydro power electricity."Increased campaigns, adequate legislation and giving incentives to public institutions to construct digesters would catalyse the adoption of biogas as an alternative and viable energy," Marete says.She says the Government should enact laws that would enable individuals who invest in biogas projects to earn money for their efforts in conserving the environment.Skylink, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and Umande Trust, are implementing different biogas projects across the country. UNIDO, in conjunction with Homabay Municipality, is constructing a biogas plant in Homabay to be used in drying fish in the area.The biogas plant, which will use waste from a municipal slaughterhouse, is expected to generate about 9 kilowatts, to light up to 100 houses and provide cooking gas to 50 houses. This would save the villagers half current expenditure on the traditional fuel like kerosene.Sky Link is also implementing various biogas projects in Rift Valley and Central provinces.However, despite its many advantages over hydropower, Marete says the initial cost of constructing a digester has locked out many institutions from adopting it.The investment stands at about Sh150,000, a cost way above the reach of many individuals. Institutions like prisons, hospitals, schools and colleges are better positioned to benefit from the adoption of biogas due to the large digesters likely to be adopted on their premises.Affordable energyResearch shows that if adopted on a wider scale, biogas would help increase penetration of affordable energy in rural areas.According to Paul Muchire of Umande Trust, the adoption of biogas in most parts of the country would also help check over-reliance on wood and charcoal as a source of fuel in the villages, a factor, which has led to depletion of the forest cover.Muchire says that there is need for the Government to compel large institutions like hospitals, schools and prisons to direct the human waste into a common digester to be used for power generation."There is need for the Government to scale up the adoption of biogas on a large scale to help plug the energy deficit currently facing the country," he says. Wood fuel"The move would also ease the strain on wood fuel, which is largely responsible for depleted forest cover."Muchire says the Government can also promote construction and use of biogas by giving incentives to public-private partnerships. Research shows that Kenyan households are willing to pay, on average, about Sh240 per kWh for improved energy services based on renewable energy resources. Despite such degree of willingness to pay, Muchire notes that many investors are still reluctant to invest in renewable energy sub-sector. Investors reluctant"The process of adopting clean energy is expensive, and lack of Government support is keeping investors at bay," he notes.Marete cites culture, ignorance, lack of goodwill and initial cost of constructing a digester as reasons slowing the adoption of green energy in the country.She also notes that there have been cases of deliberate sabotage of biogas projects, especially in public institutions."We have also heard of cases where authorities in public institutions collude with firewood vendors to sabotage the adoption biogas," he says."Unfortunately, continued use of firewood by institutions and individuals precipitates the destruction of forests and opens up the country to global warming."While developed countries have since established themselves as bastions of alternative energy, the Kenyan scenario is different, with only a handful of people understanding what biogas involves."Because of the inadequate, and sometimes inaccurate information about biogas and other forms of alternative energy, the Government should develop better education mechanisms to increase awareness on the viability of such projects," Muchiri says.Carbon fund"The ministry should also develop ways defining how communities can benefit from the carbon fund resulting from the adoption of green energy."Wood fuel provides 70 per cent of the energy for all sectors in the country, except for the transport and commercial sector. About 80 per cent of households in rural areas use wood fuel because it is relatively cheaper and widely available. The impact of these traditional fuels on rural households includes adverse effects, such as indoor air pollution, poor lighting and deteriorating environmental and economic wellbeing. According to Muchiri, addressing basic energy needs for cooking, lighting and heating is a key element in reducing extreme poverty and hunger in developing countries. &#12288;&#12288;&#12288;

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