Clean energy from geothermal heat

Kenya is leading the way in Africa in the use of volcanic energy
© Frank van der Vleuren/flickr

Frequent power blackouts are causing huge annoyance and frustration to ordinary Kenyans, as well as hindering factories and other businesses. And in recent years, droughts and dry spells have lowered water levels in reservoirs, reducing power generation from hydroelectric dams, which account for more than 60 per cent of Kenya’s electricity supply. Audrey Wabwire visits the Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant in Naivasha to find out about this alternative method of electricity generation, which provides an uninterrupted power supply without emitting harmful quantities of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. She also speaks to Mark Wopicho, whose company WindGen installs small-scale, electricity-generating wind turbines to households, schools and other users in areas where the national electricity grid does not reach.