Developers put on notice as solar power rules take effect

New rules by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) requiring buildings to be fitted with solar panels to save on electricity consumption have come into force, putting responsibility on landlords to invest in renewable energy.

The regulator has given building owners of five years to install the solar panels but will require new premises to be fitted before use.

“All premises within the jurisdiction of local authorities with hot water requirements of a capacity exceeding 100 litres a day shall install and use solar heating systems. The general public is hereby advised that the regulations are in force,” said the ERC in a published statement.

The rules are expected to impact largely on residential houses and hotel premises which use high volumes of hot water due to showers and kitchen facilities.

“The only issue is the initial cost of installing because cost of heating water using electricity is quite high,” said Alfred Omenya, a lecturer in the department of architecture and building science at the University of Nairobi.

He estimated that 100 litres of hot water would be consumed in a residential block of 10 to 20 houses.

To ensure compliance, the regulator said that electric power distributors or supplier shall not provide electricity to premises where a solar heating system has not been installed.

Apart from the installation of solar heaters, building owners will be required to conduct energy audits every three years and they must implement at least half of the audit recommendations within three years.

The energy regulator is looking for ways to reduce the country’s reliance on the electricity from the national grid which currently cannot match demand. It is also seeking to enhance efficiency of available supply.

The Kenya Manufacturers Association has been offering energy audits at subsidised rates to its members and recognising their efforts in an annual award ceremony. Some of the previous winners include Mumias Sugar, Bidco and cigarette maker BAT which saved between 15 and 30 per cent of their energy bills due to enhanced efficiency.
Economic activities requiring energy input have grown at a faster rate than the investment in energy production, leaving a yawning gap between electricity demand and supply.
Current generation mix stands at 719 megawatts from hydro, 163 megawatts from geothermal and 407 MW from thermal power — including 120 MW capacity of emergency producers.

The installed capacity is estimated at 1,400 megawatt against peak demand of 1,300 units, but frequent breakdowns of machines or routine maintenance has seen the reserve margin dip to the negative zone.

Due to inconsistent electricity supply, some companies such as Sasini, Rea Vipingo and cement producer ARM have resorted to setting up their own energy production units.