Energy Centers
Are you interested in using renewable energy at home but don’t know how to go about it? Walk in to any of our 16 energy centers across the country. The energy centers will offer you technical support on renewable energy technologies and conservation techniques such as biogas, biomass, solar energy applications and improved cook stoves among others.
The Centers, which were previously under the Ministry of Energy, were established following the recommendations of the fuelwood cycle study that was done by the Beijer Institute in 1981 in which, among other things noted a growing wood supply and demand imbalance in Kenya.
Originally, six Centers namely; Jamhuri, Nyeri, Bukura, Kisii, Kitui and Mtwapa were established to serve the major agro-ecological zones in the country. Over the years, the number of Centers has increased to the current sixteen (16).
The Energy centers were established to promote the development, adoption and wider use of renewable energy sources. Specifically, the Energy Centers were established to:
- Promote the development, adoption and wider use of renewable sources of energy available in the various areas within the Center’s jurisdiction;
- Demonstrate, train and offer other technical support on the application of various renewable energy technologies and energy conservation techniques to various user groups (Individuals, community groups, institutions and private sector, among others);
- Demonstrate and provide technical support in the production and management of on farm wood fuel production;
- Monitor the quality of improved stoves being produced and disseminated by the various producers within the areas of the Centre’s jurisdiction;
- Disseminate information on renewable energy through extension visits, field days, exhibitions, brochures, posters, media articles and any other appropriate communication tools;
- Undertake periodical customer satisfaction surveys in order to capture and incorporate expectations in the formulation of appropriate intervention strategies; and
- Undertake applied Research and development to resolve known and perceived barriers against accelerated adoption of the various renewable energy options.
There are various technologies demonstrated in the Energy Centers including;
- Agro-forestry (seedling nursery and demonstration farms)
- Biogas and support services (field and on-station activities)
- Solar Energy applications and improved stoves
REREC will progressively change this to accommodate new and emerging renewable energy technologies and promoting energy efficiency within Energy Centers while addressing socio-economic energy needs. Such needs include; solar energy technologies, wind energy technologies, bio technologies, energy store technologies, e-mobility and energy among others.
Further, in order to ensure that the Corporation takes advantage of the great interest and traction towards renewable energy technology services, Energy Centers are expected to:
- Provide innovation and incubation support at County level;
- Design renewable energy technology solutions for small business establishments;
- Provide pilot irrigation solutions and renewable energy technology testing services at country level; and,
- Undertake applied research and development for the Corporations’ Alternative Energy technology department.
Energy Centers will therefore provide nodes for Renewable Energy technology collaboration for Kenyan citizens and beyond.
Table 1 below highlights the 16 Energy Centers in the country. Plans are underway to have energy centers in every County.
TABLE 1: ENERGY CENTERS
S/No. | Energy Centre | Host County | S/No. | Energy Centre | Host County |
1. | Bukura | Kakamega | 9. | Marsabit | Marsabit |
2. | Busia | Busia | 10. | Migori | Migori |
3. | Garissa | Garissa | 11. | Mirangine | Nyandarua |
4. | Jamuhuri | Nairobi | 12. | Mitunguu | Meru |
5. | Kericho | Kericho | 13. | Mtwapa | Kilifi |
6. | Kisii | Kisii | 14. | Uasin Gishu | Uasin Gishu |
7. | Kitui | Kitui | 15. | Wajir | Wajir |
8. | Lodwar | Turkana | 16. | Wambugu | Nyeri |
Below are videos showcasing some of the products you will find in the energy centers.
Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) has an expanded mandate of spearheading Kenya’s green energy drive, in addition to implementing rural electrification projects.
- Kawi Complex, South C,P. O. Box 34585 – 00100 Nairobi.
- 0709193000/3600
- info@rerec.co.ke
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!