KENYA GEARING TO EXPLOIT ETHANOL

The Secretary General of Pangea Partners for Euro-African Green Energy, Meghan Sapp, and the Managing Director of Hydrous Ethanol, Ir. Hans Keuken held a discussion with the University of Nairobi, School of Engineering – that was represented by James Wafula an expert in renewable energy and Michael Mangala an expert in nuclear techniques on how the Kenya premier institution of learning will enhance the harnessing of ethanol in Kenya.

Another meeting will be held tomorrow, February 10, 2010, that will bring together experts from various universities in Kenya and departments, especially those of sciences and engineering to spearhead carrying out preliminary experiments.

Sapp who comes from the UK and Keuken from The Netherlands are here in Kenya to champion the harnessing of ethanol to supplement other forms of energy such as petroleum.

They have met with Kenya Pipe Line on how ethanol can salvage Kenya from fuel crisis that often hits the country.

Keuken says that with ethanol there is a reduction of carbon emission to the atmosphere, higher mileage is achieved, depending on the percentage of ethanol used, no fuel tax will be realized, and there is no reduction of maximum power with hydrous ethanol.

Yes, Sapp pointed out that harnessing of ethanol is a package deal as it will spur the farming of sugar cane and cassava in various parts of the country with profitable returns.

At the end of this week Sapp and Keuken will be touring the western part of Kenya where they are aspiring to launch the project and meet chiefs of ethanol producers’ companies.

The Institute of Nuclear Science is offering courses in renewable energy, says Wafula. “We are raising the profile of renewable energy,” he points out, “these short courses are the beginning towards the exploitation of ethanol, green energy in a large scale.”

On his part, Mangala who represented the Director of the institute, David Maina, says that they are working out with the university administration to start offering a degree programme in renewable energy to prepare man power with skills to spearhead the tapping various forms of green energy.