This archive report was first published on 24 August 2021.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has been at the forefront of environmental conservation efforts. In a recent statement, the company's Managing Director and CEO, Rebecca Miano, highlighted the significance of tree planting in ensuring the sustainability of hydroelectric power generation.
According to data from the United Nations, 2019 was the second warmest year on record, and the decade 2010-2019 was the warmest ever recorded. This has led to increased environmental challenges, including deforestation and climate change, which pose a significant threat to water bodies and companies like KenGen that rely heavily on rainfall.
KenGen has been taking proactive steps to address these challenges. In the financial year 2019/2020, the company planted over 2,500 trees and 25,600 sisals in the upper Tana Region. In the following year, 35,000 sisals and 8,000 indigenous trees were planted to protect the dams from erosion. Additionally, through its social afforestation program, KenGen issued 50,634 assorted seedlings to communities for agroforestry and woodlots establishment on farms.
These efforts are part of KenGen's broader strategy to conserve the upper Tana river catchments and ensure the sustainability of energy generation operations. The company has also implemented other initiatives, including grass seedlings, gabion installation, and bamboo establishment along riverbanks, which have yielded good results.
KenGen's environmental conservation efforts are not limited to the upper Tana Region. The company has accelerated conservation across its hydropower stations, including Turkwel, Sondu-Miriu, Sangoro, Mesco, Wanji, Gogo, Tana, Sagana, Masinga, Kamburu, Kindaruma, Gitaru, and Kiambere.
Tree planting is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it helps stabilize riverbanks, increasing the lifespan of dams and benefiting agriculture and hydroelectric power generation. Secondly, trees reduce soil erosion, which contributes to siltation of dams and negatively impacts power generation capacity. Finally, trees act as carbon sinks, offsetting our carbon footprint and mitigating the effects of climate change.
KenGen's efforts to accelerate tree planting and environmental conservation are crucial in safeguarding water bodies and mitigating the effects of climate change. By working together, individuals and organizations can make a significant impact and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
