| Title | An Update on Applications to Direct-uses of Geothermal Energy Development in Kenya |
|---|---|
| Authors | Nicholas O. Mariita |
| Year | 2010 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Kenya, Geothermal, Direct uses, Greenhouses |
| Abstract | The Kenyan part of the East African Rift Valley is endowed with plentiful of geothermal resources. In a country where the availability of jobs is a problem, the exploitation of geothermal energy aimed at electricity generation and direct uses can become a source of employment and hence a pillar for raising the living standards of the local people and trigger social and economic development. The Olkaria geothermal area (located in the rift valley) is also blessed with fertile volcanic soils and adequate climate to grow and farm basic food crops and support local agro industry such as flowers. The utilization of the geothermal resources of the Olkaria area has in recent times spurred social development. Besides the strategic and environmental values of exploiting geothermal energy, this source of energy has offered other attractive direct uses. The use of exothermally heated waters in the greenhouses has enabled higher competition as it has allowed variation in the soil use pattern resulting in yield increase and decrease in production and infrastructure costs. As a result of employing geothermal heating and carbon dioxide in the Rose Flower project, Kenya is now the largest Geothermal Greenhouse Heating Project in the world. These two products (electricity and floriculture) have proved good returns from the geothermal development costs and spurred both local agricultural and national industrial activities. This paper attempts to highlight efforts being made on geothermal energy development in Kenya with special emphasis on promoting direct uses of this resource in the country especially its applications to horticulture. |