10th Energy Awards Celebrate Over Sh10 Billion in Energy Savings - kenyadetails

Two hundred and thirty five participating companies, over 300 energy audits, 105 certified energy managers and 59 MW of energy savings translating to Sh10.2 billion. This is what the 10th Energy Management Awards (EMA) celebrated last week bringing together players to mark the major milestones in energy conservation in Kenya and the region.

It's a whole new industry that did not previously exist. Energy is a primary industrial input and a major cost factor. But a little known fact is that the cost of generating new power is more expensive than the cost of saving. For every one unit of energy saved, you save three units generated.

In Kenya, energy cost and reliability is the biggest business hurdle. We currently have a total installed energy capacity amounting to 1759 MW and there are plans to enhance the country's capacity to over 5000 MW. These plans feature a basket of energy sources that includes renewable sources and harness both old and new energy sources.

New projects such as Olkaria IV will be completed and in June this year an additional 140 MW will be added to the national grid. The country is also sourcing power through a joint project with Ethiopia that will bring in additional power and reduce the cost of energy. Vision 2030 promises to provide an installed capacity of 21,599 MW come 2031 but a short term cost and energy saving solution is required so that existing and upcoming industries are well supplied.

The Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation (CEEC) which organises these awards is an example of a successful Public Private Partnership (PPP). It was set up in 2004 by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the Ministry of Energy to awaken the consciences of industrial users who consume 60 percent of the current energy in the country. Through energy management, the centre offers a bridge that closes the gap between demand and the cost of energy by assisting companies and especially those in energy intensive sectors to cut down their power bill and consumption.

This is done through energy audits which incorporate various aspects such as flue gas analysis, boiler optimisation, use of energy efficient motors, lagging of steam pipes, use of VSD.

Energy audits also help companies look into alternative renewable energy sources such as mini hydro stations and the use of solar farms. The field is now extending into unchartered waters such as the incorporation of green building concepts in design, construction of new buildings and modification of existing ones. The audits are carried out at a subsidised rate by CEEC. While energy audits benefit individual firms, the country gains back electricity that would have gone to waste.