Developing Small Hydropower Infrastructure in Kenya

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Jeremy Booker
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1 Developing Small Hydropower Infrastructure in Kenya Paper presented at the 2 nd Small Hydropower For Today Conference IN-SHP, Hangzhou, China on April, 2006 by Eng.James Muriithi Ministry of Energy-Kenya

2 1. Introduction Current effective electricity demand: 923 MW (growth rate of 5% per annum) Effective installed capacity: 1,051 MW Total installed capacity: 1,115 MW Hydropower 61% (677.3MW) Rest: thermal, geothermal and wind Hydroelectric potential: 6,000 MW (30,000GWh per year). 50 % located on small rivers

3 2. Hydro Electric Power Potential (I) Sites>30MW, potential to 1,729MW No. Drainage Basin Power (MW) Energy (GWh)/year % 1 Lake Victoria 355 1, Rift Valley Athi/Sabaki River Tana River 570 2, Ewaso N giro North River Total , Ewaso N giro South River 220 (1993 Study) -

4 2. Hydro Electric Power Potential (II) The above figure excludes the exploited potential listed below: Power Station Installed Capacity (MW) Wanjii 7.4 Tana 14.4 Masinga 40.0 Kamburu 94.2 Gitaru Kindaruma 40.0 Kiambere Turkwel Small Hydros 6.3 Total 677.3

5 3. SHP in Kenya Classification Category Size (KW) Pico < 5 Micro Mini Small Estimated potential 3000 MW (SHP)

6 3.1 Advantages over fossil based and large scale hydro Simple technology, Decentralization of MHP sites concedes with dispersed nature of population, Most sites are near load center, Short implementation periods, No environmental damage as they are mostly run-of the river schemes and Have village participation in case of community schemes.

7 3.2 Disadvantages / Obstacles High capital cost per installed kw, an average of US $ 3,000 Effects of seasonal river flow variations, Attitudes/policy of lending agencies, Lack of good hydrological data and Lack local capacity to manufacture small hydropower components like turbines and electronic load controllers.

8 4. Historical developments of Small Scale Hydroelectric Power Stations (I) The first SHP, in 1925 Ndula: in Thika River, tributary of the Tana River Installed capacity: 2 MW , many hydroelectric power projects After 1954, focused on large dams Since 1958 no additional significant exploitation Now, this scenario is likely to change Attention is now being focused AGAIN on the SHP

9 4. Historical developments of Small Scale Hydroelectric Power Stations (II) , first 3 pilot community micro SHP Objectives: influence on the policy and legal frameworks on energy as well as study and test SHP technologies Maintenance and management has remained key challenges Since then, other communities have tried to imitate these schemes

10 4. Historical developments of Small Scale Hydroelectric Power Stations (III) Cases 14 KW, micro-enterprises US $ 4.17 per month per stall. 2.2 KW, electrification of 165 households. US $ 1.4 per month for 1 lamp and radio socket US $ 2.1 for 2 lamps and a radio socket. 1.1 KW, electrification of 65 households US $ 0.7 per month for 1 energy saving lamp US $ 1.1 for 2 lamps and 1 radio socket.

11 5. Importance SHP in Kenya It can be used to supplement the Government s rural electrification programme It can assist industries which are in close proximity to SHP sites to make substantial savings in their electricity bills. Tea factory in Murang a (2004), 16 million kg Electricity bill: US $ 250, ,000 a year Electrical power demand: 625 KVA (500 KW) These bills could be reduced substantially

12 6. Policies on SHP (I) Government expects SHP to play a very significant role Energy policies and strategies (Sessional Paper No. 4 of 2004 on Energy) Continuous collection of hydrological data Undertake pre-feasibility studies and feasibility studies of those ones commanding high economic merit order of ranking Package and disseminate information on SHP Create investor and consumer awareness on economic potential offered as an alternative source of energy This will include establishment of community based pilot projects where feasible to promote acceptance

13 6. Policies on SHP (II) Remove existing legal and regulatory barriers (amendment of Electric Power Act, 1997) to allow vertically integrated mini-grid systems for rural electrification using SHP even in areas where licences have been issued to public electricity supplier. The Act is under review and currently there is a Draft Energy Bill, 2006, being edited by the Attorney General Chambers KW require permits for generation rather than licenses Less than 100 KW no permit will be required Promote research and development, and demonstration of the manufacture of cost effective small hydro technologies

14 6. Policies on SHP (III) Remove duties on imported SHP hardware Formulate and enforce standards and codes of practice on SHP to safeguard consumer interests Promote development of local capacity for manufacture, installation, maintenance and operation of SHP technologies hydro turbines Provide tax incentives to producers of SHP technologies and related accessories Provide fiscal incentives to financial institutions to provide credit facilities for the development of SHP schemes

15 7. Conclusion The Government is committed to ensuring that the necessary legal, regulatory and institutional framework is put in place to encourage investors in the field of SHP generation.

16 Developing Small Hydropower Infrastructure in Kenya Thanks for your kind attention

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