Power Africa highlights its geothermal activities and commitment in new Annual Report

 In June 2013, Power Africa launched with the goal of doubling access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa by increasing installed generation capacity by 30,000 MW) while adding 60 million new household and business connections by 2030. In February 2016, the U.S. Congress passed the Electrify Africa Act of 2015, which charges Power Africa with increasing installed generation capacity by 20,000 MW, while adding first-time energy access for 50 million beneficiaries by 2020 —.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

Solar roof tiles help power this secondary school in rural Kenya

 Schools in rural Kenya often suffer through frequent power outages, and energy from the national grid can be expensive. But solar roof tiles from Strauss Energy offer a cheaper, renewable alternative. At the 275-student Gaitheri Secondary School in Murang’a County, the reliable source of electricity has enhanced students’ performance since they can study at night, and allowed the school to give computer lessons.   Strauss Energy works to place.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

Loans for solar systems make power affordable in rural Kenya

 It is early evening in Ndabibi village in Naivasha, and there are threatening clouds overhead. Kenneth Njoroge quickly parks his motorcycle by the mud structure that serves as his kitchen and rushes into the main house before the rain starts pounding.   Until recently, Njoroge’s home northwest of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, was poorly lit at night. Most people in Ndabibi are not connected to mains electricity, and rely on kerosene or small solar lamps to light.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

To reduce your electricity bills, get solar lights

 With the erratic power supply and high electricity bills in many parts of the country, solar lighting is a viable option for Kenyans, given that solar energy is available in plenty.   Indeed, Mr Joseph Kingi of Savvy Company Ltd, which deals mainly in solar and renewable energy, says using solar energy for lighting is prudent despite some people’s misgivings about it.   “Solar energy does not have a good reputation in Kenya, especially for outdoor.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

The impact of solar lighting in rural Kenya

 While climate change has led many high-income countries to increase their efforts to improve energy efficiency and to invest in renewable energies, households in low-income countries still face another energy challenge: more than 1 billion people lack access to electricity. Could solar lights offer a solution?   There is an ongoing debate among policy makers, international donors and researchers about how to provide energy access to poor rural areas. For many years, most.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

Solar roof tiles power Kenya’s rural classrooms

 Gaitheri Secondary School in central Kenya’s Murang'a County has had one of its iron-sheet roofs covered in solar generating tiles known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).   Designed to be laid on roofs during construction, the tiles offer an alternative to adding solar panels on top to produce power.   They were made by Kenyan firm Strauss Energy and paid for with a grant from the United States African Development Foundation.   “They.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

CNG renewables launches ‘clean’ energy project in Kenya

 Commercial gas specialist CNG has turned its ‘Power UP’ concept into an even greater force for good with an ambitious crowdfunded renewables project; set to transform the lives of more than 600 children in Kenya.   Shower Up will see two fully-equipped, solar powered shower blocks (made from recycled shipping containers) provided for Turasha School in Kenya.   Turasha Boarding School houses over 600 pupils and due to lack of Government funding and.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

Affordable solar power systems changing Kenya

 It is early evening in Ndabibi village in Naivasha and there are threatening clouds overhead. Kenneth Njoroge quickly parks his motorcycle by the mud structure that serves as his kitchen and rushes into the main house before the rain starts pounding.   Until recently, Njoroge’s home northwest of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, was poorly lit at night. Most people in Ndabibi are not connected to the electrical grid and rely on kerosene or small solar lamps to light.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

Solar power firm to finance and build small plants for companies

 Solar specialist Solarcentury announced on Wednesday that it would finance and build solar power systems for companies keen to install them but do not have the capital.   This follows a partnership between the company and energy financier CrossBoundary Energy.   The firm said Wednesday in a statement the partnership would enable more companies in Kenya and the region to put up their own solar-powered electricity plants as it eliminates the barrier of high costs.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

Kenya developers fit homes and buildings with solar technology

 Greenpark was founded in 2006 and the 150-acre housing estate has 400 units all fitted with solar panels for water heating.   Each solar unit costs about 800 U.S. dollars to install.   Residents say the panels have helped cut electricity costs by nearly half.   "Basically it is a very energy saving product that we have because we are able to have hot water throughout the day depending on the usage and also in the night, yeah so we don't have to put.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 13th September 2017

US Agency to support development of hydroelectric plants in Kenya

 In a statement, USTDA says that the grant funds a feasibility study that will evaluate the viability of the sites for power generation and examines the best approach for connecting the sites to the national grid.   The five plants are expected to collectively add approximately 17 megawatts of renewable energy to Kenya’s generation mix.   The study which was will allow the developers to identify U.S. equipment manufacturers and service providers that are.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

Africa Energy: Private Sector-led Investments in Power Transmission

 Sub-Saharan Africa needs to get the private sector invested in power generation — and more investment in the transmission sector is “urgent,” says the World Bank in a 2017 report. With 600 million Africans without access to power, the continent faces severe limits to growth in every sector, from health and education to industrialization efforts and infrastructure growth.   “If we do not address the underlying reasons preventing Africans from.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017