| Title | Integration of Environmental Management System in Monitoring of Environmental and Social Aspects Associated with Operation of Olkaria II Geothermal Power Plant at Olkaria in Naivasha Sub-county, Nakuru County, Kenya |
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| Authors | Philip JUMA BARASA |
| Year | 2015 |
| Conference | Stanford Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | KenGen, Olkaria, geothermal, environmental management system, monitoring |
| Abstract | Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a legal requirement in Kenya as provided for by Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) 1999. Besides ensuring compliance with the law, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) Ltd treats EIA as a tool to anticipate, manage and respond to environmental, social and health risks. The management actions arising from EIAs are usually defined and translated into an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the design, construction, operation and/or decommissioning phases of a project. To ensure a better understanding of causeĀ]effect relationships between the project and its environment and to improve EIA predictions and mitigation methods, environmental monitoring is necessary. KenGen has integrated the International Standards Organization (ISO 14001) Environmental Management System (EMS) in the management and monitoring of environmental and social aspects associated with its operations. This has positioned the company as an environmentally responsible corporate citizen thus enhancing its corporate image and building trust with the local community. KenGen currently operates two power plants at Olkaria Geothermal Field located in Naivasha sub-county, Nakuru County in Kenya. The two power plants are Olkaria I and Olkaria II generating a total of 45MW and 105MW of energy respectively. This paper seeks to highlight how monitoring of environmental and social aspects associated with the operation of Olkaria II power plant is undertaken by KenGen. Emphasis will be placed on how integration of ISO 14001 into environmental monitoring has been achieved. |