SOLAR & WIND SAFETY AT WORK
Jan 23, 2026
Reducing Energy Consumption at Work in East Africa: Practical Steps That Save Money and Protect the Environment
Energy efficiency is especially important in East Africa, where many countries rely on a mix of hydropower, fossil fuels, and increasingly renewable energy. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), improving energy efficiency is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to reduce energy demand and emissions (IEA, 2022). For businesses, this means lower electricity bills and reduced dependence on backup generators.
1. Use Lighting More Efficiently
Lighting consumes a significant amount of electricity in offices, shops, factories, and construction sites.
- Switch off lights in empty rooms and during daylight hours
- Maximize natural light by opening curtains and using transparent roofing where safe
- Replace old bulbs with LED lighting, which uses up to 75% less energy (U.S. DOE, 2021)
In East Africa, where daylight is abundant year-round, better use of natural light can greatly reduce power consumption.
2. Switch Off Equipment When Not in Use
Many workplaces waste energy through equipment left running unnecessarily.
- Shut down computers and printers after work
- Unplug chargers and appliances not in use
- Use energy-saving modes on office equipment
This reduces “phantom power” consumption and eases pressure during peak demand periods (Energy Star, 2022).
3. Manage Cooling and Ventilation Properly
Due to warm temperatures in much of East Africa, fans and air conditioners are heavily used.
- Set air conditioners to moderate temperatures
- Use fans where possible instead of AC
- Close doors and windows when cooling systems are on
- Service AC units regularly
Proper cooling management can cut energy use by 10–20% (IEA, 2022).
4. Involve Employees
Energy saving works best when everyone is involved.
- Educate workers on energy-saving habits
- Encourage reporting of leaking lights, faulty equipment, or wasted energy
- Appoint energy champions within departments
Employee participation builds a culture of responsibility and sustainability.
5. Monitor Energy Use
Tracking energy consumption helps identify waste.
- Review monthly electricity bills
- Monitor generator fuel usage
- Set simple energy reduction targets
This supports compliance with ISO 14001 environmental management practices (ISO, 2021).
Conclusion
For workplaces in East Africa, reducing energy consumption is a smart business decision. It lowers operating costs, reduces reliance on generators, and supports environmental protection. Small daily actions switching off lights, managing cooling, and involving employees add up to big savings over time. By using energy wisely, workplaces can improve resilience, protect the environment, and contribute to sustainable development across the region.
Sustainable Development
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"pageTitle": "Africa Union Awards Grants for New Geothermal Projects in East Africa",
"pageSlug": "africa-union-awards-grants-for-new-geothermal-projects-in-east-africa",
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"pageCont": "The African Union Commission through the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Fund (GRMF) has announced that it has awarded grants to 26 geothermal projects qualified in the first four application rounds from 2012 to 2016.
\r\nThe projects awarded grants are located in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Comoros and Rwanda, with a planned power plant capacity of approximately 2,900 MW and grant volume of $108 million. The planned investment volume by geothermal developers is estimated to US$ 9.3 billion.
\r\nMost of the projects awarded are owned by private companies and are in different stages of development.
\r\nIn Kenya, the Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC) received over 20 million USD to fund drilling programs in Bogoria-Silali, Paka and Korosi fields. In April 2016, GDC signed a contract with Hong Kong Offshore Services Ltd (HOOSL) for drilling of 15-20 wells in the Baringo- Silali field financed by the German KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW).
\r\nAnother application by GDC targeting the Suswa geothermal complex did not receive any funding during this round. This is probably due to the pending arbitration at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) following a case filed by WalAm Energy Inc in 2012 seeking $600 million compensation from the Kenyan government following cancellation of the 30-year exclusive prospecting licence in the Suswa field.
\r\nAfrica Geothermal International (Kenya) Ltd. (AGIL) was awarded close to $8.5 million to finance a drilling program in the Longonot Geothermal prospect. The company which was awarded the 132 square kilometer concession area centered on Mount Longonot in 2009, plans to drill at least one well by Q1, 2019.
\r\nOlsuswa Energy, another Kenyan firm, has also benefitted from the grants. The firm which has been exploring for geothermal resources in the Barrier Complex in Turkana County will receive close to $980,000 to be used to conduct a surface study and infrastructure upgrade programme.
\r\nAkiira Geothermal associated with investment firm Centum also received around 3 million dollars for a drilling program for the Akiira One project. The firm which was unsuccessful in their first two wells drilled in 2015 was earlier this year offered a 155 million Euro financing package by the European Investment bank for the project.
\r\nOther Kenyan firms that have benefitted from the grants include Marala Energy (Chepchuk Surface studies), Arus Energy (Arus), and Capital Power (Homa Hills). Diamond Grip Construction Company Ltd was among the firms prequalified to submit full application for the Fifth Application Round. The company aims to conduct surface studies at the Emuru-Angogolak volcanic complex.
\r\nIn Ethiopia, the National utility firm Ethiopia Electric Power (EEP) will receive $8.2 million for a drilling program in the Alalobeda geothermal prospect. Orpower 12 Inc, a subsidiary of Reno, Nevada based geothermal energy giants Ormat Technologies has also received close to 14 million USD for their three projects in Ethiopia.
\r\nOther companies in Ethiopia that will benefit from the grants include UK based Cluff Geothermal (Fantale and Butanjira fields), Icelands Reykjavik Geothermal (Tulu Moye, Abaya and Corbetti projects).
\r\nTanzania could also start the journey to the first geothermal plant in the country following approval of a $3.6 million grant for a drilling program in the Lake Ngozi geothermal project. The Tanzania Geothermal Development Company (TGDC) had earlier advertised for provision of consultancy services a drilling programme of three test wells and pre-feasibility study for geothermal reservoir assessment at Ngozi in Mbeya region.
\r\nThe Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility was established in 2012 by the African Union Commission with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU)-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-Africa ITF), via KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW), as a financial tool for supporting geothermal energy development in Eastern Africa. The GRMF is hosted and managed by the Commission, with an initial capital of euro 50 million, of which euro 30 million from the EU-Africa ITF and euro 20 million from BMZ. Additionally, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) contributed GBP 47 million in 2014 which was reduced to GBP 39 million in 2017. The Commission is also contributing around half a million US dollars annually for staff salary and the monitoring of the GRMF operations.
\r\nThe objective of the Facility is to encourage public and private investors, as well as public private partnerships, to develop geothermal prospects for power generation in Eastern Africa, by providing grants for two types of activities:
\r\ni). surface studies to determine the optimal location of exploration wells; and
\r\nii). drilling exploration wells and testing of reservoir,
\r\nas well as the physical infrastructures (access road, electricity and water supply) related to the two activities.
\r\nThis encourages further geothermal investments and improves access to equity or other funding sources and, thus, plays a catalytic role in establishing geothermal energy as a strategic option in power expansion planning in Eastern Africa.
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"pageDesc": "The objective GRMF is to encourage public and private investors, to develop geothermal prospects for power generation in Eastern Africa, by providing grants",
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"pageTitle": "Meet James Wakibia the Campaigner behind the Plastic Bag Ban in Kenya ",
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"pageCont": "Wakibia, 35, didn't set out to be an environmental activist. But the pollution in his hometown of Nakuru, 150 km from the Kenyan capital, eventually got so bad that he felt compelled to act.
\r\nIn 2015, Wakibia started a social media campaign, using the Twitter hashtag #banplasticsKE, to call for a ban on plastics, with a focus on bags. The campaign soon won the support of Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Judi Wakhungu, and things snowballed from there.
\r\nWakibia has since been credited with starting the movement that led to Kenya's nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags, which took effect in 2017. Here, he tells UNEP about his work, his true passion, and the message he wants to send his country's leaders.
\r\nTell us a bit about yourself. How did you become interested in environmental issues?
\r\nI went to a local boys' primary school just when the forest in Elburgon near Nakuru was being cut down and land cleared for cultivation by the Moi regime, which was in power at the time. That was the epitome of environmental destruction.
\r\nI was driven to environmental activism by anger. From around 2011, I got angry about the poorly managed Gioto dump site in Nakuru, with so much trash, especially plastic bags, scattered all over the road.
\r\nI felt something needed to be done, so in 2013 I delivered a petition to the county government of Nakuru to demand the relocation of the dumpsite, but in vain: The county government said it had no plans to close the dumpsite since they had no alternative land.
\r\nSince the most visible problem at the dumpsite was plastic, I decided to address plastic pollution. It became a hobby: I used every medium I had to share information on the negative impact of plastic bags. I wrote articles and letters to editors; I posted comments on my social media platforms. I literally became obsessed with demanding a complete ban on single-use plastic bags.
\r\nIn 2015, with a group called In The Streets of Nakuru, we presented a petition in the county assembly of Nakuru, demanding that the county government discuss ways to control plastic pollution. I wanted Nakuru County to be the first to ban plastic bags. That did not happen, but at least people were talking. In August 2017 the government of Kenya announced the ban on plastic bags. It was great news.
\r\nDo you have a day job, or are you a full-time activist?
\r\nMy passion is photography. Photography has helped me to see. It has given me the courage to stop and shoot, and later question. I earn my living and provide for my family through photography.
\r\nWhat do you think of the plastic bag ban? Will there be a plastic bottle recycling scheme or ban soon?
\r\nThe plastic bag ban was the way to go. Kenya made a major stride by banning single-use plastic bags. I would love all countries choking with plastic waste to start phasing out single-use plastic bags, straws, cups, forks, etc., and encourage other nations to emulate Kenya by banning all single-use plastic bags.
\r\nI believe plastic bottles should, and can, be recycled, and the government should ensure that all plastic bottles are standardized so that we have a quality bottle that can be easily recycled.
\r\nDo you have a message for manufacturers?
\r\nManufacturers and stakeholders in the plastics business, including beverage companies, should be compelled by law to create environmental cleanup funds. Most only care about the profits they get, not about the environment their plastics are polluting. Let manufacturers find eco-friendly packaging for their products. They are a major employer but at the same time there is alternative and more sustainable packaging.
\r\nDo you have any messages for politicians?
\r\nI think the biggest hindrance to environmental protection is when politicians have vested interests. For example, many politicians are shareholders of companies engaged in lumbering, or are shareholders in companies dealing with plastics. So it becomes hard for them to support any initiatives calling for sustainable forestry or a ban on single-use plastics. That's a big problem holding back many governments.
\r\nI'm glad the Government of Kenya has called for massive tree planting across the country. I hope they will walk the talk. So my message to politicians, especially lawmakers, is to support environmental initiatives to safeguard the welfare of this nation.
\r\nWhat has your role in cleanups been?
\r\nI have organized a few cleanups but participation cannot be compared with that of the county government. They can reach more people. The number of people coming out to participate in such cleanups is massive and means that Kenyans are beginning to appreciate a clean environment. I hope more such drives continue all over the republic.
\r\nMy role is basically to share information and lobby for such activities across the country. I hope that through them I can change people's perceptions, so they can also emulate what is being done.
\r\nHow do you get your message out?
\r\nI mostly rely on social media, especially Facebook and Twitter. I find these platforms very powerful and engaging. My Twitter accounts are @jameswakibia and @banplasticsnow, and I blog on Facebook and Medium. I also plan to register my own organization, so that I can expand my work to stop plastic pollution across this beautiful country.
\r\n#BeatPlasticPollution is the theme of World Environment Day 2018.
\r\nSource: UNEP
\r\n
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"pageTitle": "Construction of Menengai II Geothermal Power Plant to commence in March",
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"pageCont": "Construction of the first geothermal plant in Menengai is scheduled to commence in March 2018. This is according to a statement released by state owned Geothermal Development Company (GDC).
\r\nAccording to the statement, GDC has signed an agreement on conditions precedent with Quantum Power East Africa (QPEA) that will pave way for the construction of the 35MW Menengai II Geothermal Power plant. The plant is expected to cost Ksh. 4 billion.
\r\nQPEA was the first of the three Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to receive a Letter of Support from the Government for construction of a power plant at the Menengai Geothermal Project. The other companies are Sosian Energy and Orpower 22. The 3 companies are expected to generate a total of 105 MW from the capped steam wells in Menengai.
\r\nThe Letter of Support is one of the key conditions precedent for the project and will unlock the path for Quantam Power East Africa to reach financial close. Once this is done, the firm is set to start construction of a 35MW power plant in Menengai in February 2018.
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