Factors influencing community participation in geothermal energy project implementation: a case of Menengai geothermal power project in Kenya.
Abstract
Through the Kenya Vision 2030 policy, economic transformation is envisioned with plans
to expand the energy sector through clean renewable options such as geothermal energy in
bid to meet the current and future energy demand. Geothermal prospects in the country
occur mainly within the Rift Valley where wide spread volcanic activity and geothermal
manifestations signify the existence of geothermal resources, with an estimated potential of
between 7000MW to 10,000MW.The country is currently drilling wells for geothermal
power in only two areas including Olkaria and Menengai Geothermal Power Projects.
Currently, the integration of social concerns into the decision making, planning and
management of any geothermal project is a requirement by international
agreements/protocols, national laws, policies of bilateral agencies and international
financing institutions.However, there is evidence of low community involvement in many
countries including Kenya. This could partly explain the existing distance between energy
production companies and the local communities. The study was set to determine the
influence of information access, income levels, gender aspects and literacy levels on
community participation in implementation of Menengai Geothermal Power Project. The
study adopted a survey research design. The target population included all the 10656
people from 2545 households in Wanyororo and Kirima sub-Locations in Ndungiri/Kirima
Location neighboring the project. Data was collected through administration of a structured
questionnaire. The collected data was then processed and analyzed quantitatively.
Quantitative analysis used descriptive statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for
Social Sciences version 17.0 for windows. The study provided information that will be
useful in understanding the factors influencing community participation in geothermal
power project implementation with focus in Menengai geothermal project. The findings
revealed that majority of the respondents have knowledge about the Company and up
78.7% got the information before Company’s intervention in the area through awareness
meetings and those who have had chance to participate in the project activities attribute it
to their knowledge about the project. The findings also indicate that majority of the
residents who have participated in the project activities their average income is regarded as
low. On the influence of gender 33.3% of those who have participated in project activities
said that gender was a basis for their consideration. The findings further revealed that
82.0% thought that women participation in the project activities is paramount. On
education the findings indicated that 93.7% of the residents who participated in the
project’s activities have a minimum of primary education. The study recommend the
Company to put up a satellite office near the project to act as a link between the
Community for the purpose of information sharing and a place community members can
go to when they have concerns that they need to be addressed by the Company. Most
importantly, the study recommends the influence of culture and organization factors to be
studied in order to understand their influence with regard to community participation in
Geothermal Power Project implementation.
Citation
Mading,P.T.,2013.Factors Influencing Community Participation In Geothermal Energy Project Implementation: A Case Of Menengai Geothermal Power Project In Kenya.Publisher
University of Nairobi College Of Education And External Studies
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5980]