Small Hydro Projects Should be Initiated in Non-KTDA Regions

Tea production areas and forest distribution in Kenya – by Wikipedia

Kenya is among the leading tea producing countries in the world after China and India. Kenya produced a total of 369,400 tonnes in 2013.

Tea has been Kenya’s top forex earner until last year when it was edged out of the first position by diaspora remittance. Recent Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) data shows the trend continuing. Tea brought in Sh110 billion ($1.1 billion) compared to Sh138 billion ($1.38 billion) from diaspora remittance. Most of diaspora remittance is going to the real estate sector.

Tea requires significant rainfall when growing, and there is a correlation between tea producing regions and presence of rivers. These rivers could be used to set up small hydro projects to power tea factories.

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) manages more than 65 tea processing factories. It is the single largest producer and exporter of Kenyan tea. It plans to invest more than Sh4.8 billion (US$ 48m) to set up at least 10 – 16 small hydro energy plants on rivers close to tea factories. Funding is from the French Development Agency (AFD), and the total potential generating capacity is estimated at 20 – 30 MW.

At least six hydro energy projects are now complete or under construction, namely: 5.8 MW Gura (Nyeri), 1 MW Chania (Kiambu), 5.6 MW North Mathioya (Muranga County), 2-MW South Mara (Meru County), 1.5-MW Iraru (Meru County) and 1.8 MW Lower Nyamindi (Kirinyaga County).

Other projects in the pipeline for development include 2 MW Nyambunde, 3.6 MW Kipsonoi, 2.5 MW Chemosit, Kiringa, Ura, Kathita, Kiptiget, 6 MW Nyamasege, 1.5 MW Rupingazi, and 9 MW Nandi Forest.

KTDA Power Co., incorporated in 2010, will provide some of its tea factories with cheaper, reliable and clean renewable energy. This will cut down operation costs, and generate employment opportunities. The excess power will be sold to the national electricity grid via the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).

The potential for hydro energy with capacities of less than 10 MW in Kenya is estimated at 3,000 MW. Non-tea producing regions should also initiate the development of such small hydro projects on rivers capable of generating electricity. The KTDA should also be more equitable and develop power projects in all tea growing regions rather than focusing only on Mt. Kenya region.

Ethiopia’s Gilgel Gibe III Hydropower Project is a Threat to Lake Turkana

Lake Turkana Region from Space – by astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti

The massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project is currently under construction on the Blue Nile River. It started on April 2011 and now is more than 40% complete. The completion is expected in 2017, and the projected output is expected to be as high as 6000 MW.

The hydro-power potential of Ethiopia is more than 45,000 MW of electricity. Apart from local utilization, Ethiopia would like to make this hydro-power a major national export to neighboring countries.
The GERD project has caused a lot of concern especially in Egypt, which rely heavily on the Nile for its livelihood. The dam may seriously reduce the flow of river water reaching downstream. The Blue Nile River from the Ethiopian highlands accounts to about 86% of the Nile River’s water.
Unlike the GERD project, Gibe III dam project has revised much less publicity.
The Gibe III hydroelectric plant is located in southwest Ethiopia. The US$1.8 billion project was formally launched in 2008 and is almost complete – 98.5% complete. The dam has 10 turbines, each with 187 MW generating capacity, totaling the projected capacity of 1870 MW. It will start running three turbines, producing at least 500 MW by September 18, which is the Ethiopian New Year according to the Julian calendar.
The criticism to Ethiopia’s Gibe III dam is that it is a threat to Kenya’s Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake. It has been likened to be the next Aral Sea in Central Asia, which has suffered an irreparable damage.
The project has already been linked to severe starving experienced by the Kwegu people. The 200,000 indigenous tribe in southwest Ethiopia.
Lake Turkana gets 90% of its water from the Omo River. Water reduction to the lake would make life difficult for the communities depending on Lake Turkana for their livelihoods, especially the Turkana herders and fishermen who will pay a heavy price. This may further foment insecurity, and disputes over grazing or water rights may escalate in the already volatile region.
Kenya has already made plans to purchase power from the Gibe III dam. This is despite the fact that Kenya’s Turkana people who have no voice may be impacted. Further studies also need to be done on the effects posed by Gibe III dam and irrigation projects in the South Omo region have on Lake Turkana resources over the years.

In the future, Ethiopia plans to build two more dams Gilbe IV and Gilbe V downstream river Omo for hydro power generation.
Just like GERD project brought Ethiopia and Egypt to the negotiating table. Kenya and Ethiopia should hash out the threat to Lake Turkana; which from Kenya’s See No Evil, Speak No Evil policy, it may not happen soon

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Related Video
International Rivers: Community Voices of Lake Turkana

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Update by Reuters, October 2015 Ethiopia’s industrialisation spells crisis for Kenya’s Turkana