Efficient energy saved Kenya Sh24bn, Kippra

The Kenyan economy realised national energy savings of Sh24.2 billion in 2009 due to consumers embracing efficiency, conservative and cleaner technologies to reduce expenditure.

Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (Kippra) said the savings from all energy forms was achieved at a time when electricity was being rationed while oil products prices had escalated.

Energy Consumption Patterns Study done by the public researcher shows that key drivers were energy saving devices like fluorescent bulbs, switching off gadgets not in use, opting for alternative cheaper fuels to cook and light as well as good maintenance of appliances.

Households had the highest efficiency and conservation savings of Sh22.1 billion. Other sectors with major savings were manufacturing, agriculture, trade, community and social institutions respectively.

Kippra head of infrastructure and economic services division Eric Aligula said the highest efficiency and conservation savings in fuel usage were in petrol and diesel amounting to about Sh11 billion.

Dr Aligula said major energy savings were also noted in the use of liquefied petroleum gas and wood while savings in the electricity sub-sector were estimated Sh2 billion.

“Energy as used by households and enterprises may make a large difference if measures are employed towards efficiency and conservation,” he said.

The study found out that 26 per cent of electricity consumers did not apply any efficient or conservation methods in its use while 28 per cent utilised energy saving appliances and devices.

Did not apply any efficiency

“Fifty per cent of fuel wood users did not apply any efficiency measures as opposed to 27 per cent of charcoal users who did not use any efficiency measures,” said the report.

It called for a policy shift to ensure availability, secure affordable energy as Kenya’s usage of fuel products is expected to rise to 10.5 million tonnes by the year 2030 from the 3.7 million tonnes last year.

Kippra says Kenya needs policies to facilitate investment in a mix of renewable power to meet future demand for energy and prospecting firms given incentives to intensify oil exploration.