PERCEPTIONS ON ACCELERATED TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Bessy Eva Kathambi, Henry M’Ikiugu Mutembei

Abstract


The clamor for renewable energy has accelerated in the last decade, presenting unique opportunities for growing cities to become sustainable. The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy underscores a new frontier in the energy sector and highlights the benefits for environmental sustainability. Nairobi city is presented with a golden opportunity to transit to a sustainable city through accelerated transition to renewable energy by reviewing its energy policies and Institutions. This paper analyzes the perceptions on transition to renewable energy in Nairobi, Kenya for economic growth via green energy jobs, human welfare and a sustainable clean environment. Data was collected from 92 households and five key informants (n=97) using semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and observations. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was used to illustrate the nexus between renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Respondentsâ understanding of green renewable energy was average (59.0±1.42) with the majority having awareness of energy policies and regulations (56.7±1.62). Respondentâs significantly (56.7±1.40) agreed that transition to renewable energy would enhance cost effectiveness, creation of green energy jobs (69.7±1.66), and (54.6±1.51) for a clean and safe environment. Majority expressed willingness to transit to green renewable energy for perceived benefits socially, economically and environmentally cementing the acceleration for renewable energy transition. Accelerated transition to renewable energy will transform the socio-economic and environmental outlook for Nairobi city.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Adedeji, P. A., Akinlabi, S., Madushele, N., & Olatunji, O. (2019). The Future of Renewable Energy for Electricity Generation in sub-Saharan Africa. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 331, 012039. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/331/1/012039

Anouze, A. L. M., & Bou-Hamad, I. (2019). Data envelopment analysis and data mining to efficiency estimation and evaluation. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 12(2), 169â190. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-11-2017-0302

Apuke, O. D. (2017). Quantitative Research Methods: A Synopsis Approach. Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 6(11), 40â47. https://doi.org/10.12816/0040336

Bilgili, F., Koçak, E., & Bulut, Ã. (2016). The dynamic impact of renewable energy consumption on CO 2 emissions: A revisited Environmental Kuznets Curve approach. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 54, 838â845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.080

Bowen, K. J., Cradock-Henry, N. A., Koch, F., Patterson, J., Häyhä, T., Vogt, J., & Barbi, F. (2017). Implementing the âSustainable Development Goalsâ: Towards addressing three key governance challengesâcollective action, trade-offs, and accountability. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 26â27, 90â96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2017.05.002

Breukers, S., & Wolsink, M. (2007). Wind energy policies in the Netherlands: Institutional capacity-building for ecological modernisation. Environmental Politics, 16(1), 92â112. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644010601073838

Carlock, G., & Mangan, E. (2018). A Green New Deal > A Progressive Vision for Environmental Sustainability and Economic Stability. Data for Progress. http://filesforprogress.org/pdfs/Green_New_Deal.pdf

Collis, J., & Hussey, R. (2014). Business research: A practical guide for undergraduate & postgraduate students (Fourth edition). Palgrave Macmillan.

Cooper, W. W., Seiford, L. M., & Zhu, J. (2011). Data Envelopment Analysis: History, Models, and Interpretations. In W. W. Cooper, L. M. Seiford, & J. Zhu (Eds.), Handbook on Data Envelopment Analysis (Vol. 164, pp. 1â39). Springer US. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6151-8_1

Creutzig, F., Agoston, P., Goldschmidt, J. C., Luderer, G., Nemet, G., & Pietzcker, R. C. (2017). The underestimated potential of solar energy to mitigate climate change. Nature Energy, 2(9), 17140. https://doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2017.140

Dong, L., & Mori, A. (2017). Multi-level Analysis of Sustainable Energy Transition in Kenya: Role of Exogenous Actors. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 7(5), 111â122.

Droege, P. (Ed.). (2008). Urban energy transition: From fossil fuels to renewable power (1st ed). Elsevier.

EMCA. (2006). Environmental Management and Co-Ordination Act. NEMA. http://www.vertic.org

Fuso Nerini, F., Tomei, J., To, L. S., Bisaga, I., Parikh, P., Black, M., Borrion, A., Spataru, C., Castán Broto, V., Anandarajah, G., Milligan, B., & Mulugetta, Y. (2018). Mapping synergies and trade-offs between energy and the Sustainable Development Goals. Nature Energy, 3(1), 10â15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-017-0036-5

Garcia-Casals, X., Ferroukhi, R., & Parajuli, B. (2019). Measuring the socio-economic footprint of the energy transition. Energy Transitions, 3(1â2), 105â118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41825-019-00018-6

George, A., Boxiong, S., Arowo, M., Ndolo, P., Chepsaigutt-Chebet, & Shimmon, J. (2019). Review of solar energy development in Kenya: Opportunities and challenges. Renewable Energy Focus, 29, 123â140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ref.2019.03.007

Gielen, D., Boshell, F., Saygin, D., Bazilian, M. D., Wagner, N., & Gorini, R. (2019). The role of renewable energy in the global energy transformation. Energy Strategy Reviews, 24, 38â50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2019.01.006

Goldthau, A. (2011). Governing global energy: Existing approaches and discourses. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 3(4), 213â217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2011.06.003

Government of Kenya GOK. (2007). Kenya Vision 2030. Ministry of Planning and National Development. http://vision2030.go.ke/inc/uploads/2018/05/Vision-2030-Popular-Version.pdf

Hafner, M., Tagliapietra, S., & de Strasser, L. (2018). Prospects for Renewable Energy in Africa. In M. Hafner, S. Tagliapietra, & L. de Strasser, Energy in Africa (pp. 47â75). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92219-5_3

Hamdy, A., Abu-Zeid, M., & Lacirignola, C. (1998). Institutional Capacity Building for Water Sector Development. Water International, 23(3), 126â133. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508069808686758

Hickel, J., & Kallis, G. (2020). Is Green Growth Possible? New Political Economy, 25(4), 469â486. https://doi.org/10.1080/13563467.2019.1598964

IEA. (2019). âWhat is Energy Security?â International Energy Agency (IEA). https://www.iea.org/topics/energysecurity/whatisenergysecurity/.

IPCC. (2018). Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C approved by governmentsâIPCC. https://www.ipcc.ch/2018/10/08/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5c-approved-by-governments/

IRENA. (2015). RE-thinking Energy: Renewable Energy and Climate Change. International Renewable Energy Agency. https://www.irena.org

IRENA. (2016). Renewable Energy Benefits: Measuring The Economics. International Renewable Energy Agency. https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2016/IRENA_Measuring-the-Economics_2016.pdf

IRENA. (2018). Carbon emissions from advanced economies set to rise in 2018 for first time in five years, reversing a declining trend. International Renewable Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org

IRENA. (2019). Measuring the Socio-Economic Footprint of the Energy Transition: The Role of Supply Chains. International Renewable Energy Agency. https://www.irena.org

Jacobson, M. Z., Delucchi, M. A., Bauer, Z. A. F., Goodman, S. C., Chapman, W. E., Cameron, M. A., Bozonnat, C., Chobadi, L., Clonts, H. A., Enevoldsen, P., Erwin, J. R., Fobi, S. N., Goldstrom, O. K., Hennessy, E. M., Liu, J., Lo, J., Meyer, C. B., Morris, S. B., Moy, K. R., ⦠Yachanin, A. S. (2017). 100% Clean and Renewable Wind, Water, and Sunlight All-Sector Energy Roadmaps for 139 Countries of the World. Joule, 1(1), 108â121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2017.07.005

Kathambi, B. E., & MâIkiugu, H. M. (2018). Implementing sustainable development Goals 1, 3.9, 7, and 13 through adoption of green concept in environmental management: Case of Nairobi, Kenya. J. Bio. Env. Sci., 12(3), 1â10.

Kazimierczuk, A. H. (2019). Wind energy in Kenya: A status and policy framework review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 107, 434â445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.12.061

Kiplagat, J. K., Wang, R. Z., & Li, T. X. (2011). Renewable energy in Kenya: Resource potential and status of exploitation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(6), 2960â2973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.03.023

KIPPRA. (2018). Realizing the âBig Fourâ Agenda through Energy as an Enabler. KIPPRA. www.kippra.org

Kothari, C. R., & Garg, G. (2019). Research methodology: Methods and techniques.

Kraaijenbrink, J., Spender, J.-C., & Groen, A. J. (2010). The Resource-Based View: A Review and Assessment of Its Critiques. Journal of Management, 36(1), 349â372. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206309350775

Maina, C. M., & Maina, T. M. (2016). Features of Resource Based View Theory: An Effective Strategy in Outsourcing. International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations, 3(2), 215â218.

Morris, C., & Jungjohann, A. (2017). Energize the people to effect policy change. Nature, 551(7682), S138âS140. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-017-07508-x

NEMA. (2009). National Environment Research Agenda for 2008-2030. NEMA.

Newell, P., & Phillips, J. (2016). Neoliberal energy transitions in the South: Kenyan experiences. Geoforum, 74, 39â48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.05.009

OECD. (2019). Achieving Clean Energy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa. OECD. https://www.oecd.org/environment/cc/climate-futures/case-study-achieving-clean-energy-access-in-sub-saharan-africa.pdf

OECD, & IEA. (2017). Perspectives for the Energy Transition: Investment Needs for a Low-Carbon Energy System. OECD/IEA. https://www.iea.org/publications/insights/insightpublications/PerspectivesfortheEnergyTransition.pdf.

OECD, & IEA. (2018). World Energy Investment 2018. OECD/IEA. https://www.iea.org/wei2018/.

Polk, M. (2011). Institutional Capacity-building in Urban Planning and Policy-making for Sustainable Development: Success or Failure? Planning Practice and Research, 26(2), 185â206. https://doi.org/10.1080/02697459.2011.560461

Quitzow, R., Thielges, S., Goldthau, A., Helgenberger, S., & Mbungu, G. (2019). Advancing a global transition to clean energy â the role of international cooperation. Economics: The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal. https://doi.org/10.5018/economics-ejournal.ja.2019-48

REN21. (2019). Renewables 2019 Global Status Report. REN21. https://wedocs.unep.org

Renner, M., Bishal Parajuli, Ferroukhi, R., Padmashree Gehl Sampath, Casals, X. G., Khalid, A., Hawila, D., Jinlei Feng, & Garcia-Banos, C. (2019). Analysis built on Renewable energy benefits: Measuring the economics (IRENA, 2016) Measuring the Socio-Economic Footprint of the Energy Transition: The Role Of Supply Chains. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12085.70887

Santos, J., Negas, E. R., & Santos, L. C. (2013). Introduction to Data Envelopment Analysis. In A. B. Mendes, E. L. D. G. Soares da Silva, & J. M. Azevedo Santos (Eds.), Efficiency Measures in the Agricultural Sector (pp. 37â50). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5739-4_3

Thomas, D. (2020, April 8). Renewable energy is the direction of travel for Africa. African Business Magazine. https://africanbusinessmagazine.com/sectors/energy/africas-green-renewal-gathers-pace/

Tidemann, C. (2019). Barriers to Energy Security in Australia: The Electricity Sector Governance and the Need for Change. In N. Mouraviev & A. Koulouri (Eds.), Energy Security (pp. 93â122). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01033-1_5

WEF. (2019). Fostering Effective Energy Transition. World Economic Forum. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Fostering_Effective_Energy_Transition_2019.pdf

Williams, C. (2011). Research Methods. Journal of Business & Economics Research (JBER), 5(3). https://doi.org/10.19030/jber.v5i3.2532

World Bank. (2015). âBringing Electricity to Kenyaâs Slums: Hard Lessons Lead to Great Gains.â World Bank. http://www.worldbank.org/ en/news/feature/2015/08/17/bringing-electricity-to-kenyas-slums-hard-lessons-lead-to-great-gains.

World Bank. (2016). Republic of Kenya: Kenya Urbanization Review, Report No: AUS8099, GSU Africa. World Bank. pubrights@worldbank.org.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.