Promotion of biogas systems in rural Kenya

Year

2016

Organisation

Namalere Forest Conservation Group

Description

The Namalere Forest Conservation Group promotes off-grid solutions in combination with biogas as an alternative source of energy in Kenya in order to improve social welfare, encompassing improvements regarding the living conditions and the health of inhabitants, environmental protection and sustainability in an efficient and cost-saving approach.

 

Objectives:

  • Improving the living conditions and health of people
  • Introduction and access to clean, renewable and sustainable energy
  • Development of a modular system for biogas use
  • Reduction of the use of fossil fuel, especially kerosene
  • Enablement of local employment, provision of technical training and knowledge especially to women and youth

 

Main information:

The NFCYG has successfully completed the installation of two large scale and 150 small scale generation projects at schools, markets and homesteads along with a 1.8km long distance heating off-grid, giving at least 500 homesteads access to clean, sustainable, and affordable energy. The installed local biogas plants run with existing raw material such as manure, human and agriculture waste. Turning waste products into biogas creates many advantages for the local communities: It is accompanied by a reduction of waste and greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, the reduction of respiratory and eye diseases caused by cooking fires and traditional lighting indoors, and a lighter workload for women and children related to fuel wood collection and cooking activities.

The practice also provides women with skills and resources to increase their productivity and income through employment. Women are trained as technicians, to take care of day-to-day maintenance of the installed biogas plants. The goal is to help them fulfil their economic potential, improve their well-being and that of their families and communities.

In the long run, the goal of the practice is to develop a modular system in order to provide many local communities with the advantages of biogas. The NFCYG expects to install 2,000 digesters in this area before expanding to other areas. This would directly benefit around 1.9 million people – with 300 people directly or indirectly employed as a result of the programme.


Additional information:

The NFCYG is an NGO that promotes energy conservation and reduced deforestation in western Kenya by supporting community driven efforts and addressing environmental threats on a local level. It develops biogas as an alternative source of energy for institutions and homesteads. It further pursues social and environmental objectives, creating employment and a sustainable use of forest resources.

 

RGI gratefully acknowledges the EU LIFE funding support:

EU LIFE funding support Logo

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the LIFE Programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.