National Energy Policy - Final Draft - 14 Nov 2013

3.0 – RENEWABLE ENERGY3.1 BACKGROUND1. Renewable energy is derived from naturally occurring resources, principally the movement ofwind and water, the heat and light of the sun, plant material and animal waste, and geothermal(the heat in the earth’s crust). All these resources can supply our needs and those of futuregenerations in a sustainable way. Effectively harnessing these renewable resources requirescareful planning and advanced technology.2. Renewable energy has the potential to enhance energy security and reliability; generate incomeand create employment; enable the country to make substantial foreign exchange savings byreducing dependence on imported fuels and its attendant price volatility, and mitigate climatechange as it has minimal adverse effects on the environment.3. According to the Economic Survey 2013 biomass provides 69% of the country’s overall energyrequirements while petroleum accounts for about 22% and electricity 9%. 74.5% of theelectricity component is generated using renewable energy sources with fossil fuels providingthe balance of 25.5%.3.2 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY3.2.1 Background1. Below the earth's crust, there is a layer of hot andmolten rock called magma. Heat is continuallyproduced there, mostly from the decay ofnaturally radioactive materials such as uraniumand potassium. The amount of heat within 10,000metres of the earth's surface contains 50,000times more energy than all the oil and natural gasresources in the world.2. The areas with the highest undergroundtemperatures are in regions with active orgeologically young volcanoes. These occur atplate boundaries or at places where the crust isthin enough to let the heat through.3. In Kenya, more than 14 high temperaturepotential sites occur along Rift Valley with anestimated potential of more than 10,000 MWe.Other locations include Homa Hills in Nyanza,Mwananyamala at the Coast and NyambeneRidges. These are shown in Figure 3.1 across.Figure 3.1 - Location of GeothermalResource Areas in Kenya44 NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY FINAL DRAFT NOVEMBER 2013