Examining success factors for geothermal power development in Kenya/ Elizabeth W. Njenga

By: Contributor(s): Publication details: Nairobi: Strathmore University; 2024.Description: xiv, 93p. illSubject(s): LOC classification:
  • HD9502.5.N56 2024
Online resources: Summary: Kenya was 1the first and still the only Country in Africa to generate significant electricity from geothermal resources. The current output from geothermal is about 983MW, but this output is expected to increase as new power plants are commissioned. Geothermal energy is sustainable, environmentally friendly, reliable, and cost-effective. Kenya has a potential of exceeding 10,000 MWe in geothermal electricity production, but the Country is yet to achieve its full potential. Success factors (SFs) must be attained to produce exceptional results. If not considered, there could be impediments to the overall successful outcome of the project. Few studies have examined the SFs in developing geothermal power in Kenya. Therefore, the goal of this research was to examine the influence of success factors on development of geothermal energy sector in Kenya. Specifically, the study examined success factors including financial, technical, managerial, and regulatory factors. The study was grounded on the theory of production and institutional theory. The target population of the study comprised of senior managers and middle level employees in the six entities of the energy sector in Kenya. A sample size of 142 participants was determined using stratified random sampling technique. Data was then collected using structured questionnaires that consisted of closed ended questions and divided into six sections. Quantitative data collected using questionnaires were edited, coded in, and categorized then input in the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for further analysis. This allowed the researcher to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics that were generated included: mean, standard deviation and percentages while the inferential statistics comprised of correlation and regression analysis results. The study findings showed that majority of the respondents and well above 50% in all the questionnaire statements, agreed that financial, technical, managerial, and regulatory factors were success factors that influenced development of geothermal energy sector. The results also found that financial, technical, managerial, and regulatory factors had a positive and significant relationship with development of geothermal energy sector. In addition, regression results also demonstrated that managerial factors had the most positive and significant influence on development of geothermal energy sector, followed by technical factors, regulatory factors, and then lastly financial factors. Therefore, the study concluded that financial, technical, managerial, and regulatory factors were success factors that had a positive and significant influence on the development of geothermal energy sector in Kenya. The study recommended that the management of the sector should foster better collaboration between the government and other key stakeholders to ensure they leverage on each other's strengths and resources and enhance timely and cost-effective execution of geothermal projects. Policymakers should ensure availability of research and development budgets to finance geothermal exploration, data collection as well as geothermal technology development activities.
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Thesis Thesis Strathmore University (Main Library) Special Collection HD9502.5.N56 2024 Not for loan 62825
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Kenya was 1the first and still the only Country in Africa to generate significant electricity from geothermal resources. The current output from geothermal is about 983MW, but this output is expected to increase as new power plants are commissioned. Geothermal energy is sustainable, environmentally friendly, reliable, and cost-effective. Kenya has a potential of exceeding 10,000 MWe in geothermal electricity production, but the Country is yet to achieve its full potential. Success factors (SFs) must be attained to produce exceptional results. If not considered, there could be impediments to the overall successful outcome of the project. Few studies have examined the SFs in developing geothermal power in Kenya. Therefore, the goal of this research was to examine the influence of success factors on development of geothermal energy sector in Kenya. Specifically, the study examined success factors including financial, technical, managerial, and regulatory factors. The study was grounded on the theory of production and institutional theory. The target population of the study comprised of senior managers and middle level employees in the six entities of the energy sector in Kenya. A sample size of 142 participants was determined using stratified random sampling technique. Data was then collected using structured questionnaires that consisted of closed ended questions and divided into six sections. Quantitative data collected using questionnaires were edited, coded in, and categorized then input in the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for further analysis. This allowed the researcher to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics that were generated included: mean, standard deviation and percentages while the inferential statistics comprised of correlation and regression analysis results. The study findings showed that majority of the respondents and well above 50% in all the questionnaire statements, agreed that financial, technical, managerial, and regulatory factors were success factors that influenced development of geothermal energy sector. The results also found that financial, technical, managerial, and regulatory factors had a positive and significant relationship with development of geothermal energy sector. In addition, regression results also demonstrated that managerial factors had the most positive and significant influence on development of geothermal energy sector, followed by technical factors, regulatory factors, and then lastly financial factors. Therefore, the study concluded that financial, technical, managerial, and regulatory factors were success factors that had a positive and significant influence on the development of geothermal energy sector in Kenya. The study recommended that the management of the sector should foster better collaboration between the government and other key stakeholders to ensure they leverage on each other's strengths and resources and enhance timely and cost-effective execution of geothermal projects. Policymakers should ensure availability of research and development budgets to finance geothermal exploration, data collection as well as geothermal technology development activities.

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