Country Scores High in Green Energy Projects

Data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows that green energy and climate-friendly projects targeting carbon emissions reduction in Kenya had risen from five in 2004 to 14 this year.

The environment body said 35 megawatts (MW) bagasse cogeneration facility of Mumias Sugar Company is already registered while 13 projects in Kenya have requested to be recognised and are at various validation stages within the CDM pipeline.

UNEP spokesman Nick Nuttall said CDM allows developed countries to reduce emissions and meet global warming commitments by investing in carbon reduction initiatives.

He said selected projects in developing countries assist in the displacement of carbon dioxide annually with developed countries purchasing Certified Emission Reduction (CER) at a price agreed on by both parties.

Conversion of the Kipevu open cycle gas turbine to a combined cycle operation project (35 MW) and optimisation of Kiambere hydro power project (20 MW) are among those in the CDM pipeline in Kenya.

Latest figures

Mr Nuttall said the latest figures show a total of 112 CDM Africa projects ranging from renewable energy to tree planting, are at validation, requesting registration or registered. He said they are worth a total of Euros 212 million a year.

Mr Nuttal said projects rose from 78 in 2008 and two in 2004, covering two large solar water heating initiatives in South Africa, promotion of energy efficient light bulbs in Senegal and a municipal waste composting project in Uganda.

Around 80 per cent of the projects are in sub-Saharan Africa, with 28 underway or planned in South Africa, followed by 14 in Kenya. In North Africa, Egypt has 13 projects followed by Morocco with 10.

Experts say the latest figures underline the importance of African governments pressing for reform in the weeks before UN Climate Change Convention in Copenhagen from December 7 to 18.

They note that while the figures are a cause for optimism, they also underline how few projects are currently ongoing in Africa compared to several other parts of the world. Globally, there are over 4,730 CDM projects operating or close to approval.

The lion's share is in Asia and the Pacific with a total of over 3,700 followed by Latin America and the Caribbean with about 820. Late last month, governments, investors and experts met in South Africa under UNEP's Finance Initiative to specifically assess ways of boosting green energy uptake on the continent.

Recommendations, based on partnerships between the public and private sectors, were made including country risk cover and low-carbon policy risk cover.

Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Commission has signed with SGS Kenya a Sh112 million yearly contract for colouring petroleum products with an invisible chemical marker.

The Ministry of Energy has transferred to ERC the task of managing marking, sampling and testing to ensure fuel for export is not diverted to the local market and that kerosene is not used to adulterate petrol or diesel.

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