Energy audit is an inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows for energy conservation in a building, process or system to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without negatively affecting the output(s).
The aim is to have energy conservation by efficient utilization. This will reduce energy expense without compromising productivity.
Kenya Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) published The Energy (Energy Management) Regulations in 2012. It mandated consumers of more than 180,000 KWh annual to carry out energy audits on their premises using ERC-licensed auditors every three years.
Large power consumers, mainly comprising of industries located around Nairobi account for about 60 per cent of the Kenya’s total electricity consumption.
According to ERC, about Sh43 million is lost every day through inefficient electricity consumption equipment. The target is to save at least 30 per cent per institution within three year period. This will reduce energy costs, especially for industries, to allow cheap manufactured goods.
The ERC regulations require the targeted facilities to set up an energy management committee and designate energy officer. Develop and submit energy management policies to ERC for approval. The institutions are also required to submit audit reports and implementation plans to the commission.
The targeted facilities required to comply with the directive to carry out energy audits are about 3 500 in the country. They consist of commercial buildings, hotels, large institutions such as universities, hospitals, and industries.
The penalties for failure to comply with the regulations are; a fine of Kenya Sh 1 million, one-year imprisonment for the facility head or both. The delay in submission of the implementation report will result in Sh 30,000 fine per day.
This year statutory deadline to submit energy audits is on September 28, 2015.
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Kenya's Energy Future 