Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Energy Transitions In Kenya's Tea Sector: A Wind Energy Assessment, Erik Edward Nordman

Erik Edward Nordman

Kenya’s tea sector provides livelihoods for more than 500,000 farmers but energy access in the region remains limited. Clean, affordable distributed energy systems could transform the tea-growing regions by lowering tea production costs and increasing farmer profits. On-site generation could power tea factories and enhance grid stability by reducing electricity draw from the grid. Wind power’s potential in Kenya’s tea regions is unknown. A pre-feasibility study using the Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment (SWERA) dataset revealed that 29 percent of Kenya’s tea farms have wind resources that could be suitable for development. There were more “moderate”-rated tea farms west …