newYou can now listen to Fox News articles.
President Biden’s executive order halting permits for further construction of liquefied natural gas export facilities is clearly aimed at strengthening his support among the left ahead of a difficult re-election campaign.
This move makes Europe more vulnerable Russian energy threat. But it also hurts developing countries like Kenya.
The vibrant East African nation of Kenya is at an economic crossroads, with energy issues among its most pressing.
President Biden speaks at the United Auto Workers Conference on January 24, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Kenya’s booming population of 55 million people reflects the combined populations of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. At 224,960 square miles, it is slightly smaller than Texas but larger than California, highlighting the vastness of the region that energy solutions need to address.
Biden’s decision on natural gas is crazy.Climate change extremists don’t know the facts
Access to energy is a major issue in Kenya.
According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA), Kenya’s energy landscape is characterized by a dependence on renewable resources, primarily geothermal and hydropower, and to a lesser extent wind and solar energy. But it’s just electricity.
About 70% of Kenya’s energy comes from burning biomass. This is a special term for charcoal, firewood, cow dung, and agricultural residue. In the countryside, the proportion is as high as 90%, which is dirty and harmful to health.
A quick comparison between Kenya and the United States reveals the challenges.
On a per capita basis in 2021, America produced 165 times more energy than Kenya, while simultaneously consuming 44 times more energy. Try applying this to your own life. Energy usage in daily life is reduced by almost 98%. Heating and air conditioning will be reduced by 98%, personal transportation will be reduced by 98%, internet usage will be reduced by 98%, and industrial output will be reduced by 98%.
House of Representatives hits Biden’s climate policy, votes against natural gas moratorium
The need for more energy in Kenya cannot be overstated. Access to reliable and affordable energy is fundamental to economic development, fostering industry, improving education and health services, and ultimately improving quality of life and even longevity. In 2020, the average life expectancy for Americans was 77.3 years, compared to 61.7 years for Kenyans. .
However, Kenya’s current energy infrastructure struggles to provide reliable power, with frequent power outages affecting both urban and rural areas. Kenya generates 3,300 MW of her electricity, with approximately 80% of her electricity consumption coming from clean energy sources. And the number continues to grow.
About 45% of Kenya’s electricity comes from geothermal, 40% from hydropower, 15% from fossil fuels, and 5% from solar and wind. Kenya has Africa’s largest wind farm, feeding 310 MW of electricity into the national grid on windy days.
But electricity prices are soaring as the government promotes solar and wind power, making them higher than averages in the U.S. and China.
State AGS warns Biden’s natural gas moratorium violates federal demand reversal law
The reliability of the power grid is also a concern, with many regions experiencing power outages for several hours each day, severely hampering productivity and economic growth.
Comparative analysis with the US
In stark contrast to Kenya, the United States boasts one of the highest per capita electricity consumption in the world. This high level of energy consumption supports a wide range of economic activities and supports one of the highest standards of living in the world.
Kenya has one of the highest proportions of the population connected to the national electricity grid among African countries. Even though 83% of Kenya’s population has access to electricity, the country’s electricity consumption is very low.
Jasper’s family of six uses 12 to 16 kWh (kilowatt hours) at the end of the month to power lights, phone charging, two laptops, a TV, and a radio. In the village of Jasper, most households use her 4-5 kWh per month. A typical American refrigerator uses 42 kWh per month, and the average American household uses about 899 kWh over the same period.
For more FOX News opinions, click here
Green energy debate and its impact on Kenya
The promotion of green energy by Western elites raises serious questions about its applicability to developing countries like Kenya. The transition to renewable energy sources requires significant investments in technology, infrastructure and capacity building.
While developed countries may have the resources to invest in these areas, developing countries are at a disadvantage, lacking the capital, technology and infrastructure to make a seamless transition. is common.Additionally, you need affordable, reliable, and abundant energy. now – Many token green energy projects were designed to placate Western environmental consciousness rather than address urgent requirements.
Kenyans have been facing tough economic times since the IMF pressured money-hungry President Ruto to end fuel subsidies, which the previous government opposed. The IMF’s four reasons as to why the Kenyan government should abolish fuel subsidies ignore the fact that all other industries are run by the energy industry and therefore higher energy prices mean worse economic conditions are doing.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The IMF knows that fuel subsidies encourage the use of fossil fuels. Rising fuel prices will force poor people who rely on kerosene lamps for lighting into darkness. With propane prices high and wood burning the best way to reduce energy expenditures, deforestation will increase.
In Kenya, the rush towards green energy has left the population in persistent energy poverty and limited economic development.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT CHUCK DEVORE
Jasper Machog He is a farmer, agricultural engineer, climate change skeptic, and defender of fossil fuels in Africa.
