Kenya 237
Synthesis
Energy pathways
Geothermal power development and sustainable charcoal production form complementary but very different pathways which can contribute to Kenya’s vision
of a low- carbon, climate- resilient future (Table 13.1). Geothermal power generation is a large- scale industry, boasting only a few main actors that are part of,
or fit well into, the existing centralised electricity system. Transmission and distribution of geothermal power is similarly large in scale with limited actors. On
the other hand, sustainable charcoal production is a cottage industry comprising
a myriad of decentralised, small- scale actors. Transport, wholesale, and distribution is similarly small in scale and undertaken by thousands of different actors.
The technological capabilities required for upscaling geothermal power development lie partially within Kenya – where there has been significant accumulation of expertise and process innovation – and partially within foreign firms that
possess the most advanced technology used in drilling and power generation and
the most sophisticated knowledge of steam reservoir modelling and steam field
management. The technological capabilities required to upscale sustainable charcoal production, on the other hand, can nearly all be found in Kenya. Local
manufacturers of more efficient (and appropriate) charcoal kilns exist, although
their products are not necessarily widespread. And the knowledge required to
Table 13.1 Selected aspects of energy pathways
Component
Geothermal power generation Sustainable charcoal
production
Structure
Centralised
Decentralised
End use
Electricity, industrial
heating
Cooking
Investment needs
High capital cost by big
investors
Local actors/small capital
cost, although relatively
high
Sector structure
Top-down
Bottom-up
Technological capabilities Local innovation in
processes but foreign
technology
Local innovation in
technology
Implementation risks
High cost and high chance
of failure
Political uncertainty around
sector
Public opposition
Technology costs
Non-harmonised policy and
weak enforcement
Competing alternative fuels
Limited capacity of
charcoal producer
associations
Consequential risks
High electricity costs from
limited demand
Limited benefit-sharing
Environmental impact
High charcoal and
cookstove costs
Loss of livelihoods
Potential rebound effects
Synthesis
Energy pathways
Geothermal power development and sustainable charcoal production form complementary but very different pathways which can contribute to Kenya’s vision
of a low- carbon, climate- resilient future (Table 13.1). Geothermal power generation is a large- scale industry, boasting only a few main actors that are part of,
or fit well into, the existing centralised electricity system. Transmission and distribution of geothermal power is similarly large in scale with limited actors. On
the other hand, sustainable charcoal production is a cottage industry comprising
a myriad of decentralised, small- scale actors. Transport, wholesale, and distribution is similarly small in scale and undertaken by thousands of different actors.
The technological capabilities required for upscaling geothermal power development lie partially within Kenya – where there has been significant accumulation of expertise and process innovation – and partially within foreign firms that
possess the most advanced technology used in drilling and power generation and
the most sophisticated knowledge of steam reservoir modelling and steam field
management. The technological capabilities required to upscale sustainable charcoal production, on the other hand, can nearly all be found in Kenya. Local
manufacturers of more efficient (and appropriate) charcoal kilns exist, although
their products are not necessarily widespread. And the knowledge required to
Table 13.1 Selected aspects of energy pathways
Component
Geothermal power generation Sustainable charcoal
production
Structure
Centralised
Decentralised
End use
Electricity, industrial
heating
Cooking
Investment needs
High capital cost by big
investors
Local actors/small capital
cost, although relatively
high
Sector structure
Top-down
Bottom-up
Technological capabilities Local innovation in
processes but foreign
technology
Local innovation in
technology
Implementation risks
High cost and high chance
of failure
Political uncertainty around
sector
Public opposition
Technology costs
Non-harmonised policy and
weak enforcement
Competing alternative fuels
Limited capacity of
charcoal producer
associations
Consequential risks
High electricity costs from
limited demand
Limited benefit-sharing
Environmental impact
High charcoal and
cookstove costs
Loss of livelihoods
Potential rebound effects