County Govts Urged to Invest More in Solar Energy
COUNTY governments have been urged to invest in solar energy to increase the national power grid. The chance comes after an American-Taiwanese company, Ergon Solair, signed a co-operation memorandum with the East African Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture to promote the development of additional 2,000 megawatts in Kenya.
The company also targets to increase the national power grid in Tanzania and Uganda. The EACCIA chairman James Mureu said: "The signed memorandum allows Ergon Solair to move across the counties in Kenya and identifies solar energy potential.
It is upon counties to prioritise solar energy to help increase the national power grid.
Read more: County Govts Urged to Invest More in Solar Energy
Vivo Energy Kenya launches Shell V-Power customer reward campaign
Vivo Energy Kenya, the company that distributes and markets Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in Kenya, launched a campaign to reward V-Power customers across the country.
During the two-month long campaign, customers will have an opportunity to win complementary Shell V-Power fuel vouchers ranging from Kshs.300 to Kshs.200, 000 in all 57 Shell petrol stations across the country.
Speaking while awarding the first winners in Nairobi, Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director, Polycarp Igathe, said the campaign was aimed at rewarding existing customers to boost loyalty among them, as well as to encourage other motorists to try the Shell V-Power brand.
Read more: Vivo Energy Kenya launches Shell V-Power customer reward campaign
Kenya's energy revolution: full steam ahead for geothermal power
You can understand why the Masai gave Kenya's Hell's Gate national park its name, says Isaac Kirimi, drilling superintendent at the site's Olkaria geothermal plant. Here in the active east African rift, fractures in the ground seep sulphur, while rocks are too hot to touch. The Earth's crust is communicating with the magma chamber, Kirimi says.
The region is considered one of the most exciting geothermal prospects in the world. Where Kirimi and his team have drilled wells, water heated by molten lava roars like a jet engine as it bursts out of the ground.
East Africa is undergoing an energy revolution driven by massive offshore natural gas finds in Tanzania and notable oil discoveries in Kenya and Uganda, all in the past three years.
Read more: Kenya's energy revolution: full steam ahead for geothermal power
Kenya Needs To Put Its Energy Act Together
This is an exciting announcement from Ethiopia: Ashegoda Wind Farm, an investment of USD290m with a 120MW capacity, has come on stream - great news for Ethiopia.
But I do wonder: What on earth happened to Kenya? Turkana Wind – previously praised as the largest wind energy project in Africa ‑ has a much greater anticipated output of 300MW when completed. But when is that finally going to happen?
 Kenya is constantly operating at the limit of its energy generation output (never mind that we all know that power cuts are frequent), plus energy prices are high. If you look at anticipated GDP growth rates – and the GoK is certainly always very bullish about those – then surely you can anticipate how much additional generating capacity you need every year just to stand still.
