Piloting Biomass Energy Audit for Energy and Environmental Conservation in Homa Bay County in Kenya

Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)

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Abstract: Biomass energy meets about 70% of Kenyans national energy requirements and over 90% of rural population are depended on it. However, the traditional ways of producing and utilizing the bioenergy is inefficient and therefore unsustainable. Bioenergy consumers expecially households, institutions and local enterprises lack adequate knowledge on their consumption levels, available energy conservation technologies, alternative fuels like briquettes and areas of energy wastage. Piloting biomass energy audit was undertaken in Homa-Bay County with objectives of determining the consumption trends of the consumers, the types of fuel used, sources of the fuels, utilization technologies and identify areas of energy wastage. Semi-structured questionnaire and an energy audit tool were used to collect information from the respondents. Results showed that biomass energy is the main energy type for majority of the respondents for cooking and heating. The traditional three stone and metal cook stoves are the most preferred stoves. At household level, fuelwood is sourced from own farms and neighbouring community forests while fuelwood and charcoal for institutions and domestic use are obtained from markets. On average bioenergy takes 30% of the total domestic and institutional kitchen expenditure and this has contributed significantly towards higher energy bills in institutions and at household’s levels. The study shows that energy efficiency audit is critical for consumers to track their consumption trends and identify areas of energy wastage. The study recommends frequent energy audit, use of energy saving technologies and establishment of woodlots as strategies for energy conservation.