USTDA providing support for Kenyan small hydropower studies

 The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has announced its support for Saigrene Energy Kenya Ltd., which will help the developer explore the potential for run-of-river hydroelectric projects at five sites in Kenya.   USTDA's support comes in the form of a grant of unspecified value, which will allow for consultancy group Knight Piesold to perform feasibility studies for the five plants.   The objective is twofold. While the plants would add a cumulative 17 MW of power.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

Kenya: Obama's Power Africa Initiative Short of Goal Despite Gains

 New York — A new report on Barack Obama's main legacy project for Africa shows it is falling short of his original goal of bringing electricity to 20 million households in Kenya, Tanzania and four other countries by 2018.   Mr Obama's Power Africa initiative, announced in 2013, has so far helped connect only about half the projected number of households, according to the programme's 2017 annual report published on Monday.   “To date Power Africa has.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th 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 : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

Geothermal places Kenya into future

 During ‘Kenya Week’ at the 2017 Astana Expo, the country sought to showcase its merchandise and pedigree in renewable energy, especially geothermal.   The international exposition, themed “Future Energy”, which has been running since June 10 and is set to end on September 10 in Astana, Kazakhstan, has attracted a diversity of chartbuster innovations on energy that seeks efficiency and friendliness to the environment.   A peek into the.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th 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 : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

Kenya Power billed for idle wind farm

 The developers of Lake Turkana Wind Power project have started billing Kenya Power #ticker:KPLC every month for its failure to distribute their production due to lack of a transmission line.   This is despite recent discussions between Energy ministry officials and the wind farm managers to delay the billing that would ultimately be passed on to consumers.   “They have been billing Kenya Power,” said an energy sector source who sought anonymity, adding.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

ERC rejects Kenya Power bid for Sh2.6bn tariff rise

 The energy sector regulator has shot down a Kenya Power application for electricity tariff increase that would have seen consumers’ bills increase by Sh2.6 billion every month.   This is the second time since last year that Kenya Power has unsuccessfully sought approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to raise power charges.   The electricity distributor says a tariff increase is necessary to cover surging costs from increased customer connections.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

A wind farm of epic proportions is taking shape in Africa

 In Kenya, efforts to produce wind power on a grand scale are underway. The Lake Turkana Wind Power project is a 12-hour drive from Nairobi and, once operational, is set to provide 310 megawatts (MW) of renewable power to the Kenyan national grid.   "It is the largest wind farm in Africa (and) it has 365 turbines," Carlo Van Wageningen, director and board member at Lake Turkana Wind Power, told CNBC's Sustainable Energy on Thursday. "We are hoping to soon.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

Kenyan offshore patrol vessel handed over

 Bangladeshi shipbuilder Western Marine Shipyard (WMS) has handed over the offshore patrol vessel MV Doria for Kenya's Ministry of Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture at its facilities in Bangladesh, and will sail it to Kenya at the end of this month.   The handover ceremony on 13 August was attended by Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Abul Maal Muhith and Managing Director of WMS Sakhawat Hossain, at the company’s shipyard on the Karnaphuli.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

East Africa: Total Seeking Kampala-Dar Pipeline Route for Kenya Oil

 French oil giant Total, which is consolidating its position in the region's extractives sector through its full acquisition of Maersk Oil and Gas stake in Kenya's South Lokichar oilfields, plans to push for discussions that would see Kenya's oil transported through the Uganda-Tanzania pipeline.   Such a decision, still at the wishful thinking stage, would have far-reaching implications for Kenya's grand infrastructure project -- the Lamu Port-South.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

Lobby raises red flag over Total’s role in oil plan

 Festering differences between the Energy ministry and French oil major Total could disrupt Kenya’s upstream oil industry even before it begins commercial production, an industry lobby has warned. The French firm last month acquired Maersk Oil’s global business, giving it a 25 per cent stake in the three blocks in Lokichar that are being readied to start oil production. It will partner with Tullow Oil – which is the operator and has a 50 per cent stake –.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017

Nock eyes buyers of Nairobi oil terminal

 National Oil Corporation of Kenya (Nock) has put on sale its multi-million shilling Nairobi petroleum depot, just eight years after expanding the facility to match growing fuel storage demand.   The State-owned oil marketer said it had received a bid for an outright acquisition of the terminal that also has a truck loading facility and a warehouse.   “In this regard, National Oil is interested in engaging the services of a reputable transaction adviser to.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th September 2017