Kenya and Uganda’s electricity grids are predominantly powered by renewable energy. Geothermal, wind, hydro, and some utility-scale solar power Kenya’s grid, making up over 90% of the generation mix. In Uganda, hydro makes up most of the generation capacity. Both nations are also faced with the interesting problem of having excess generation capacity.
Forty-nine electric motorcycles raised a lot interest in Nairobi’s Karura Forest on the 2nd of March, as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a pilot electric bikes project in the presence of Kenyan government officials and business leaders. The 49 electric motorcycles are part of a larger pilot program that includes another 50 electric motorcycles in neighboring Uganda.
“The average motorcycle is estimated to be 10 times more polluting per mile than a passenger car, light truck or SUV. Hydrocarbons are dangerous to human health,” said Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, Governor of Kisumu County. “Electric motorcycles not only mitigate against this health hazard but also help reduce noise pollution that the rampant increase of petroleum powered motorbikes currently causes in our cities.”
#environment #uganda #kenya #africa #EV
What existing renewables are in production mode? I remember this partnership in Nairobi, where Strathmore University uses its campus buildings to harvest solar and sell to the national grid: https://www.strathmore.edu/news/strathmore-university-and-kenya-power-sign-solar-energy-purchase-deal/
Good table for Uganda at https://cleantechnica.com/2020/07/22/ugandas-kiira-motors-electric-bus-pilot-program-jinja-ev-factory-construction-update/. It is mostly renewable.
Seems the EV adoption is happening in the most unexpected spaces, like fishermen in Lake Nam Lolwe (or as the British called it, Lake Victoria): https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-56273602
Interesting trend is Uganda and Kenya keep coming up - something is on the brew in that location and they are both next to each other.
The Garissa solar plant is doing 50MW - https://www.rerec.co.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=234
I wonder what led to East Africa success in this area. I do not know whether it is relative to other regions but in absolute sense, they seem to be doing something right.
Definitely repeated stories from that area - the excess generation and low demand could be driving use of electricity. South Africa for example sits with a shortage of generation and the feeling is EV is being held back. Yet South Africa has more manufacturing capability and a growing renewables energy generation market, but assembly of EV buses is happening in Uganda, and sales of Hyundai and Chinese EVs in Kenya. I’m wondering too.
The pilot includes a host of local partners, including ministries and national and sub-national authorities, and uses bikes donated by Shenzhen Shenling Car Company Limited (TAILG).
Another example of China representing its interests in Africa. Europe (or the USA) could do it, but we are too preoccupied with our own problems.
Yes China helps Africa out quite a bit. China has been very active at home and abroad in promoting EV manufacturing, and I suspect they’ll clean up in the cost-effective price categories. The shift from oil towards renewable sis also shifting the economics away from the Middle East.
