Kenya's climate-smart sources of energy

In Kenya’s Rift Valley, energy experts are drilling for a source of power: hot steam
© Frank van der Vleuren/flickr

Kenya has a high dependence on hydro-electricity for its electricity generation. But when rains fail and river levels drop, electricity supplies are threatened. But the country also has large reserves of geothermal power - hot rocks just a few thousand metres below the surface of the Rift Valley heat underground water to create steam, and this is being used to drive turbines at the Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant. A technician at the plant explains the process, and Noah Lusaka from the Arid Lands Information Network explains how this, and other renewable energies like biogas, are helping Kenya to have a more reliable and environmentally friendly power supply.