Mr Dresbach cuts the ribbon to mark the launch of the project. Looking on is Prof. Odhiambo.
The fight against global warming has received a boost following the launch of REHAU Home gas project at JKUAT, Thursday, November 19, 2015.
The Home-gas project is a joint initiative between JKUAT and REHAU, a polymer processing company based in Germany that intends to provide rural and semi-urban households across the country with mini-biogas units that runs on cow dung and water for domestic cooking.
The initiative is expected to drastically reduce over reliance on on wood energy thus increasing Kenya’s dwindling forest cover.
Speaking on behalf of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kenya, Jutta Frasch; Mr. Bernard Dresbach, Secretary, Economic Affairs, Federal Republic of Germany Embassy in Nairobi, said this launch provides a great platform for Germany and Kenya to collaborate in renewable energy to create opportunities for development and business.
Mr. Dresbach urged the government and private sector to engage higher learning institutions especially in renewable energy.
“Although the policy framework for private sector engagement in the energy sector has advanced, there is need to engage universities such as JKUAT in policy formulation and collaborative research,” said Mr. Dresbach.
Referring to Kenya Vision 2010, the Economic Affairs Secretary reckoned that this will help Kenya reach its production target of over 5000 MW using at least 60% renewable energies. He lauded REHAU and JKUAT for the partnership and hoped that it will enhance socio-economic development especially in the rural areas.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mabel Imbuga in a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, assured REHAU of JKUAT’s total commitment to ensure successful implementation of the project epitomized by the effectiveness in which the University has implemented comparable research, innovation and empowerment projects.
“JKUAT is particularly motivated with the project because of its technology transfer and wealth creation implications, an area that we have excelled over the years,” said Prof. Imbuga
Also speaking during the launch, Regional Director (EA), German Investment and Development Company, Mr. Andreas Grenancher acknowledged that providing an affordable and environmentally friendly solution such as REHAU Home gas has a huge development impact.
Mr. Zippel explains how the Mini-biogas unit is set up
Head of HUB Africa-Rehau, Mr. Ernest Otto Zippel thanked JKUAT for establishing the assembly plant and said he was buoyant of the sustainability of the units.
“The equipment is made using special polymer foil capable of withstanding Ultra-violent light and tropical weather conditions for over 25 years,” said Mr. Zippel
The project incubated at JKUAT’s Nairobi Industrial and Technology Park is a start-up company has installed two units, one in Kikuyu, and another one at JKUAT as test and demonstration units.