Kenya's Energy Could All be Geothermal

Kenya’s current electrical power demand is about 1.8 gigawatts per year, and yet their geothermal potential is 7.2 gigawatts, according to a recent article on an African news site. With a geothermal potential four times greater than their current electricity usage level, it appears Kenya has a bright future in terms of renewable energy development. Currently woodfuel represents about 68% of primary energy consumption, meaning wood gathered from forests for burning. Cutting forests for such short-term use though is quite damaging, as it reduces rainfall and dries out the land. Climate change is already having the same effects, so cutting forests only adds to the problem.

Just about ten percent of Kenyan homes have electrical power. A new one billion dollar geothermal plant should come online by 2013, and will generate over 200 megawatts of electricity. Currently a little over half of Kenya’s electricity is generated by hydroelectric dams, but drought conditions have reduced water levels, and output from turbines. Some of their lakes and rivers have decreased water levels, and if climate change continues to dry areas where hydroelectric dams get their water, geothermal appears even more viable for the long-term.

A UN official said, “There are least 4,000 MW of electricity ready for harvesting along the Rift. It is time to take this technology off the back burner in order to power livelihoods, fuel development and reduce dependence on polluting and unpredictable fossil fuels.” (Source: UN)

One editorial claims some time after 2030 Kenya will need nuclear power also, but if they develop their geothermal carefully and add solar and wind power, the nuclear option might not be necessary. The Kenyan population is growing by about 2.6% a year, and currently is 39 million.

Image Credit: Lydur Skulason

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Duane B.

3:03PM PDT on Aug 20, 2012

Thank you for sharing.

August 20
send a green star

Danuta W.

2:01AM PDT on Aug 20, 2012

KrassiAWAY B.

11:24AM PDT on Jul 29, 2011

Agree with Monica.

July 29
send a green star

Monica D.

12:41AM PDT on Jul 9, 2011

Interesting. And perhaps Kenya does not need to "develop" in the way the way the west has.

July 9
send a green star

Dan M.

7:31AM PDT on Jul 8, 2011

cool

July 8
send a green star

Ann F.

8:12AM PDT on Jul 5, 2011

thanks for sharing!

July 5
send a green star

Marie W.

4:14PM PDT on Jul 4, 2011

Sounds like they need population control more than geothermal power.

July 4
send a green star

Geetha S.

11:13PM PDT on Jul 3, 2011

Thanks for sharing.

July 3
send a green star

Jennifer C.

5:26PM PDT on Jul 3, 2011

Wonderful! Thanks.

HELEN V.

4:18PM PDT on Jul 2, 2011

if properly done, taking into consideration the environment and safety measures, this would be a step in the right direction. Kenya like its neighbours is such a fantastically beautiful country. i hope to God that it is not spoiled. Somehow there must be a way to provide the population with development and food without destroying the environment. Good luck Kenya