Factors Influencing Implementation of Infrastructure Development Projects in the Renewable Energy Sector in Kenya: a Case of Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited

Abstract

The energy sector is most important for economic and social activities therefore calling for a radical shift in the production of energy from fossil fuel to renewable energy. The environmental threats posed by fossil fuel has resulted into concerted efforts both locally and globally in encouraging the utilization of renewable energy sources as a measure of mitigating the threats (IPCC, 2007).Due to their positive impacts on the environment coupled with the economic and social benefits they bring about, there is fast increasing acceptance of their use globally . Despite the importance of renewable energy, there is dearth empirical evidence on factors influencing the implementation of projects in the renewable energy sector in Kenya. Therefore, this study examined the factors influencing implementation of infrastructure development projects in the renewable energy sector in Kenya at KPLC. The main study objectives were to determine the influence of organizational strategy, top management support, stakeholders’ involvement and government energy policy on infrastructure development projects implementation in the renewable energy sector in Kenya. A descriptive survey research design was used to obtain data. Stratified random sampling was used to pick 30% of the target population giving a sample size of 90 respondents. The research instrument used in collecting primary data was a structured questionnaire while secondary data was collected from books, scholarly journal articles from libraries, internet sources and other relevant literature for the purposes of comparison so as to get the most accurate data possible. Periodicals and unpublished works such as government documents including sessional papers were also used. Data analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study concludes that KPLC’s organizational strategy is the key contributory factor in the implementation of infrastructure development projects being enabled significantly by the organization design. It also concluded that top management support influence implementation of infrastructure development projects in KPLC as top managers effectively communicate the requirements of the project to all the parties concerned and carries out an evaluation of the project progress periodically to check for any deviations. The study additionally concludes that stakeholders mainly influence implementation of infrastructure development projects through capital and resource contribution. The study finally concludes that energy policies and strategies provide an institutional, regulatory and legal framework that guarantees provision of reliable, adequate, safe, cost-effective and affordable supply of energy while ensuring the conservation of the environment. The study recommends the alignment of organization strategy to its infrastructure development project activities thus increasing organizational effectiveness and efficiency. It further recommends the establishment of a formal engagement framework between top management and project team members to ensure effective teamwork and seamless work flow during the life of the project. Also recommended in the study is creation of awareness among stakeholders on the importance of collaboration in project delivery as a measure of addressing the problem of low uptake of participatory approach in stakeholders’ involvement through education, information dissemination, and dialogues among stakeholders, sectors and disciplines. Further recommendation is on timely utilization of relevant multi-sectoral energy based information and knowledge to enable the crafting of energy policies and strategies that promote effective and efficient energy supply.