Kenya's Investment in renewable and alternative energy is a good move for MDGs.


By Njoroge Kaburo

The UN dossier on the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) cautiously underscores the significance of energy in realization of its achievements.

Though the paper does not in particular have a part on energy, it is in record that lack of modern fuel in most developing countries surreptitiously ingrain poverty and contributes to 1.6 million deaths per year.

Certainly, services rendered through energy consumption provide cross-cutting influences on equally social and economic development.

For instance, with reliable and constantly available energy services, an estimated 22 billion people in the world could be freed from poverty.

This would follow clean cooking fuels which would improve health conditions and improve standards of living

And therefore, it becomes readily explicable why Energy can influence any given country's ability towards achievement of the 8 goals.

And as the old adage goes, necessity is the mother to invention.

This is apparent as more and more stand alone investors of renewable sources of energy come up with undying efforts to offer workable solutions at a time the world experiences broad power shortage.

They are working overtime trying to set mechanisms to see renewal of energy sources such as solar, wind bio gas ethanol to mention a few.

They are utilizing bio gas and animal waste as viable alternative source of energy to control deforestation which has for many years stripped bare many of the forests across the world.

A rough estimate of 800 tones of wood consumption is reduced each year by using bio gas and not mentioning other sources like hydro, wind, solar and ethanol.

Through bio gas option also, Kenya can also be sure to reduce a considerable 1,300 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
These individuals and private institutions have rolled their sleeves in a bid to complement Kenya Government's effort of the rural electrification launched in the yea 2003.

Determined to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), these investors have managed to provide power to small enterprises, individual households, micro enterprises and private ventures.

They for that reason play an important role in power supply to Kenya as a nation.
Some learning institutions and health centers also benefit from these projects hence contributing to the development of education, health and to employment.

All this has been successful thanks to the Kenya Government move to franchising the rural solar program.
Besides the power supplies, affordable solar lanterns are locally available at almost every electric retailer.

One can also acquire improved oven and stoves made in Kenya at reasonable prices.

Ends............

Njoroge kaburo

Thika, Kenya.