The project focuses on demonstrative training on energy produced with minimal effects on the environment which is sustainable and affordable at the community level. The Foundation works with communities to offer solutions that contribute to environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation and substitution of diesel, Kerosene and firewood.
Solar energy
Solar energy has been highlighted as one of the alternative forms of energy that should be developed for rural areas. Kenya has great potential for the use of solar energy throughout year because of its strategic location near the equator. Despite this potential, the current contribution of solar to energy supply in Kenya is minimal with only 1.2% of the households using it for domestic purposes.
Green Africa Foundation works with communities in creating a pool of resources to enable households purchase solar lanterns and other solar equipments a practice which has seen many students improve their academic performance, reduction of kerosene related illnesses and mitigation of energy poverty.
Bio-fuels
By definition, bio-fuels refer to fuels derived from biological materials which include: plants, vegetable oils forest products or waste products. Green Africa Foundation is in the forefront in promoting the cultivation of biofuel plants especially Jatropha curcas, croton and castor plant and has trained over 4000 small scale farmers on cultivation and oil processing from these plants.
Currently, the Foundation is working with Sekisui Chemical Company in Meru region to produce biodiesel from jatropha curcas which wildly grows in the area. Other partners whom we have worked with in this sector are Norwegian Church Aid and Ministry of Energy.
Charcoal briquettes and Energy saving jikos
Charcoal briquettes have greatly reduced the dependency on wood fuel in the rural areas on top of creating income opportunities for many rural women and youth. Green Africa Foundation offers demonstration training on how to make these briquettes. In addition, we facilitate the acquisition of the briquetting machines by CBO’s who in turn assist other groups in the purchase of the same.
Our energy saving jikos use 1KG of firewood as opposed to the traditional jikos which require 10kgs in a day thus saving on the firewood hence reduced deforestation.
Activities
Training on renewable energy to mitigate energy poverty
Seeking sustainable energy solutions within the Green Africa Villages
Develop targeted information for the Green Africa Villages about renewable energy management.
Promote the transfer of successful energy practices and procedures from existing villages to new villages
