Why Kenya should consider using gas

Now that experts are indicating that Kenya possibly has viable natural gas reserves in the northern part of Kenya and the Lamu Basin, this would be an ideal time for energy sector players to consider exploiting the resource, just as Tanzania has done.

Gas has many advantages although the initial cost of setting up the infrastructure is prohibitive. First, it can be used to produce electricity. In a country like Kenya, where the price of electricity is high and makes the business environment more challenging, using gas to produce electricity can significantly lower costs for both industrial and domestic consumers.

A disproportionately large part of Kenya’s electricity — 150 Mega Watts — is produced by independent power producers using diesel generators. Their prices are not only high, their source of energy is also inherently harmful to the environment. Using gas to generate power can, therefore, help the country to lower retail prices while also being friendly to the environment.

Secondly, natural gas produces hydrogen as a byproduct and this is used in countries like Russia and Ukraine in the manufacture of fertilizer. Since Kenya relies heavily on agriculture, using gas and hydrogen will have far reaching ramifications for both agriculture and agro-processing because not only with the energy be used in industries that process farm produce, the byproduct will also increase harvests, thus helping to bring down the cost of food.

However, for this to happen, experts in Kenya would have to learn from Russia, a leader in this segment, and adopt best practices that will transform lives in Kenya in line with Vision 2030. Russia has improved the quality of life of its citizens by ensuring that they move from using wood and coal to heat their houses. They now use gas, which is far much cheaper and friendly to the environment.

Again, given that world leaders in motor vehicle manufacturing are moving away from producing diesel and petrol engines, Kenya will do well to position itself for use of gas to power both private and public transport.

Indeed, using gas to power the SGR train can significantly reduce its operating costs.
Although there is still debate over whether gas as a fossil fuel is bad for the environment, the benefits of using it far outweigh any disadvantages that could come from using it.

More Articles

---