Geothermal project doing more harm than good

By Muhangani Shilovele

Nairobi, Kenya: Naivasha is being rated as one of the fastest growing towns in the country.

The region is not only attracting diversity of businesses ranging from multi-billion shilling horticulture and hotel industries but it is also emerging as one of the world leading producers of geothermal power.

However, this geothermal project has become more of a curse than a blessing as the region frequently suffers power outages – a trend seriously hurting businesses and other investments.

For the last two weeks preceding Christmas, the region, especially Moi South Lake, has been plunged into darkness daily yet this area hosts some of the most popular hotels and flower farms. Most revellers who had flocked the region to celebrate were a disappointed lot.

While the Kenya Power Company can justify the current power outage as a result of a major operation to install a new power line to connect to the national grid from a sub-station in Olkaria, there are questions regarding why this had to be done during the festive season.

Why couldn’t the company notify the residents before such a major operation so that they could look for alternative power sources?

Can Kenya Power carry out such an operation gradually without causing too much damage?

I am sure in a civilised State – one that upholds the rule of law – the company would not get away with this magnitude of damage.

Dragging its feet

I understand the company is managing a crisis to beat the deadline by working day and night.

Many questions have been raised about inept and gross mismanagement of Kenya Power, with a Bill being introduced in Parliament to end its monopoly on distribution of electricity.

The Government appears to be dragging its feet on reforms in the energy sector due to what appears to be a stiff resistance from the cartels with immense interest who are controlling its operation.

But one thing is clear, unless the Government understands that energy sector is a key pillar in economic development that requires urgent reforms, the country’s Vision 2030 is just a mirage.

They should understand that no country can claim to be developed unless it is effectively balancing the demand of providing clean, affordable, sustainable and secure energy supply.

According to a Global Energy Architecture performance report, many governments, industries and other stakeholders are seeking new solutions to energy to ensure that systems underpin 21st century requirements of energy for economic growth.

Sustainability and energy security is something we should all be concerned about yet in Kenya we continue to politicise the issue.

My advice to this government is to first halt the ongoing police reforms and give priority to reforms in the energy sector.