Biogas is the solution to Kenya’s rising energy costs
Kenya is grappling with the escalating costs of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and traditional fuel sources, putting a significant strain on the nation’s and household budgets.
It may be time to consider viable alternatives that provide relief from energy costs and pave the way for a sustainable future.
For years, Kenya, has heavily relied on conventional fossil fuels for energy generation and cooking needs. As of 2007, biomass energy resources contributed to 70 per cent of the country’s fuel energy demand.
According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, 55 per cent of households use firewood while 23 per cent use LPG.
Urban and rural schools continue to rely on firewood as their main source of energy.
The consequences of the price fluctuations leave consumers struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing expenses.
In contrast, renewable solutions such as solar, wind and biogas have emerged as sustainable, cost-effective and climate-friendly alternatives. Biogas, in particular, has proven to be an energy source whose price is gradually falling.
The remarkable aspect of biogas is its potential to harness locally available resources and transform them into usable forms of energy.
This decentralised approach to energy generation not only mitigates the country’s dependency on expensive fuel imports but also empowers rural communities to become self-sufficient energy producers. Biogas plants can effectively address energy poverty by providing affordable and reliable energy to remote regions.
One of the most compelling aspects of biogas is its declining production cost. The price of setting up a biogas plant has significantly decreased from Sh84,000 to Sh60,000.
The advantages of biogas extend beyond just financial benefits. The environmental impact of using biogas is substantially lower compared to fossil fuels. Biogas production not only curtails greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane, a potent greenhouse gas but also reduces the reliance on fossil fuels that contribute to climate change and environmental degradation.
As Kenya strives to meet its commitments under international climate agreements made in 2018 to generate 100 per cent of energy from renewable energy sources, using biogas would be a major step in the right direction.
To achieve this goal, it is imperative that the government takes a proactive approach in encouraging citizens to choose renewable, climate-friendly and cheaper sources of energy.
By doing so, the government can pave the way for a sustainable and greener future while setting an example for the younger generation.
First, the government should initiate a comprehensive campaign targeting schools. Educators and administrators should highlight the numerous benefits of biogas.
The campaign should emphasise how biogas can significantly reduce energy expenses for schools, freeing up resources to be redirected towards improving learning facilities.
Collaboration between the government, private sector and non-governmental organizations is crucial for establishing partnerships that offer technical expertise and guidance on biogas plants installations and maintenance.
Policymakers must prioritize the development of renewable energy sources and create an enabling environment that encourages investment in biogas technology. Incentives, subsidies, and favorable regulations can act as catalysts in promoting the adoption of biogas.
By actively embracing biogas and investing in its development, Kenya can reduce its dependence on costly fuel imports, alleviate energy poverty, and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future. The time to embrace biogas as a renewable energy solution is now.
— The writer is head of sales, Sistema Bio Kenya
