After recently holding the Africa Climate Summit and Africa Climate Week 2023 in September, Kenya has hit the ground running in its efforts to tackle the climate crisis. With Kenyan manufacturers having committed to scaling up clean energy initiatives to realize a low-carbon future, the 9th Clean Energy Conference and Expo, hosted by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) lived up to its billing. The event brought together over 100 delegates of senior government officials and energy experts as well as 30 exhibitors who showcased innovations in the clean energy space, including renewable energy, water, e-mobility, green buildings, and clean cooking.
According to David Mutisya, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acting Director of Renewable Efficiency, during the expo, Kenya has made great strides in the use of clean and renewable energy.
“We are fully committed to spearheading the national efforts on energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate change issues. We recognize that it is near impossible to ensure that everyone has access to affordable and reliable energy without a keen focus on clean energy,” he said.
As one of the leading countries that rely on renewables, Kenya sees the true potential of clean energy as it’s paramount as it supports the country’s initiatives of improving access to energy without harming the environment.
According to Anthony Mwangi, KAM chief executive, the manufacturing sector is rolling out a number of initiatives that will expand the use of renewable energy sources in order to power their production processes.
“Manufacturers are also keen to use energy sources such as wind, water, and sun that do not pollute the environment,” said Mwangi.
He added that the manufacturing sector has a duty to sustain livelihoods through job creation while maintaining the environment in which it operates.
“KAM established the Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation (CEEC) in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum in 2006. The Centre has been at the forefront of energy efficiency and conservation programs designed to help companies identify energy wastage, determine energy savings potential, cost savings and reduction in CO2 emissions through the measures to be implemented,” Mwangi explained.
In increasing reliance on renewable, Kenya and Africa as a whole has the potential to become a global green manufacturing hub.
