Michael Bass

2/29/09

Dr. Sills

12:20

                                                Energy Investments

            The most recent developments in wind energy has encouraged many to seek power contracts with their government.  Kenya, in particular, has revealed itself to looking at six prospective clients to provide wind energy. As the demand for energy peak capacity is growing at an eight percent annual increase, these companies, including Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), which is carrying out studies in Ngong and other areas, Lake Turkana Wind, which is exploring the Marsabit area near Lake Turkana East and Aelous in Ngong and Kinangop areas have shown that can have the power to supply up to 500 MW. Tariffs of roughly $0.07 kWh will be implemented to make an adequate profit and allow Kenya to become a better source of renewable energy.

            I thoroughly believe that these ways of setting up a mass production of wind energy will become a growing phoenominum in years to come. Mass corporations will grow in production of Wind Farms and be able to lower prices, making wind energy an incredibly attainable goal of energy. I think Kenya has beat a large portion of the planet to the punch of production and cost evaluation. Just setting up a wind power plant the size of the 40 MW Kindaruma hydro-power station will cost Sh4.5 billion without the feasibility studies and logistics such as transportation of material and equipment. The tariff system is already in use in the US, Europe and Asia. The Kenyans have found the much needed source of income from the tariff and I’m fairly certain that the investments made will contribute a large portion of the battle for alternate sources of renewable energy and I welcome the change with open arms as I look forward to further projects or ideas from other countries with Kenya as the inspiration.