Energy In Woody Biomass And The Industries That Are Using It

Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)

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Abstract: In Kenya, biomass energy resources are derived from forests - closed forests, community woodlands, farmlands and plantations as well as agricultural and industrial residues. This accounts for about 68 per cent of all energy consumed and for 90 per cent of rural household energy needs. The main sources of biomass for cooking and heating energy are charcoal, fuelwood and agricultural waste. Various industries use biomass energy in their processing; these include tea and edible oil processors. A study in 2013 that analysed the demand and supply of wood products in Kenya indicated that firewood and charcoal supply stood at 13,654,022m3 and 7,358,717m3 while demand stood at 18,702,748m3 and 16,325,810m3 respectively. Currently, there is unmet demand for biofuels with a 60% demandsupply gap. Forecasts for a 20-year period indicate a 20% increase in supply and 21.6% increase in demand by the year 2032 which signifies a gradually increasing deficit. However, most of the wood fuel is obtained from unsustainable sources and produced and utilized in inefficient technologies/devices. This exerts pressure on natural forests. The current moratorium by the Government of Kenya (February 2018 to date), banning logging on public and community forests has further widened the biomass fuel demand gap leading to escalating prices of charcoal.