[kictanet] Government moves to stop use of solar energy

Mon Nov 30 15:09:35 EAT 2020

Hi Grace,

There is a type approval and a register of practitioners on the EPRA
website
https://www.epra.go.ke/services/renewable-energy-2/energy-audit-firm-register/
______________________
Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva

On Mon, 30 Nov 2020 at 13:55, Grace Mutung'u <nmutungu at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Kivuva, Beryl,
> I am curious about the rationale for regulation. Have you come across any
> info on the safety issues (if safety is the issue)? Also, what is the level
> of penetration of solar in the country?
> Why also can't we adopt the type approval way as is done with
> communications equipment? I am thinking that this would make regulation
> technology agnostic, such that if the government (EPRA) assures us of the
> quality of equipment being manufactured/imported, then consumers can seek
> services of existing electricians.
> Otherwise, if we regulate solar 'practitioners', do we also need to
> regulate biogas and wind and future energy sources 'practitioners'?
>
> GB
>
>
> On Mon, 30 Nov 2020 at 13:40, Mwendwa Kivuva via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
>> Great conversations here.
>>
>> If we were to engage The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority
>> (EPRA), what would be our recommendations?
>>
>> We cannot escape regulations on the energy sector. Perhaps a good start
>> would be to put less barriers. For example, if I am qualified as a solar
>> technician, why punish me with exorbitant licenses instead of supporting me
>> to help connect more households and businesses to the grid? The benefits
>> for the government where electricity is inexpensive far outway the
>> stifling measures EPRA is recommending. Such benefits include less funding
>> to the grid by the public, more tax revenue from more industries and
>> businesses established, better educated population (electricity is now an
>> important component for education), ... The spiral effect of affordable
>> energy would touch every sector of our economy
>>
>> I
>>
>> ______________________
>> Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya
>> https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva
>>
>>
>> On Mon, 30 Nov 2020 at 09:24, Kelvin Kariuki via kictanet <
>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>
>>> I cannot overemphasize what Barrack and Keith have stated above. I teach
>>> online classes at a public university and I have observed, together with
>>> some colleagues, that we get a slightly less than 50% turnout per session
>>> with students claiming challenges ranging from:
>>> 1. Lack of Device
>>> 2. Lack of Electricity
>>> 3. Power Loss
>>> 4. Lack of Network/Internet Connection
>>>
>>> A *sustainable digital economy* can only be powered with *green energy*!
>>> With striffling green energy, we will continue to struggle to give life to
>>> the futuristic "*Silicon Savannah*"!
>>>
>>> On Mon, Nov 30, 2020 at 6:42 AM Beryl Aidi via kictanet <
>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>
>>>> This is hardly surprising after Kenya Power recently raised alarm over
>>>> the rising switch to solar energy according to this report.
>>>> https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/companies/kenya-power-raises-alarm-over-clients-solar-switch--3204410
>>>>
>>>> While the growth of the sector is good given the advantages of solar
>>>> energy and even the fact that Kenya is right on the Equator so we get a
>>>> good amount of solar exposure, some regulation is necessary to ensure
>>>> safety standards. However it is appalling that the proposed measures are
>>>> stifling and seem geared toward keeping the monopoly of KPLC. It's a shame
>>>> and really uncalled for, if not absolutely absurd given the inefficiency of
>>>> KPLC. The government should be encouraging growth in the energy sector
>>>> rather than stifling it.
>>>>
>>>> Beryl Aidi
>>>>
>>>> On Sun, Nov 29, 2020 at 10:58 PM Keith Andere via kictanet <
>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Listers,
>>>>>
>>>>> I do agree with you Barrack that the time is ripe. During Kenya IGF as
>>>>> well as the recently concluded African IGF,
>>>>> Unreliable/Expensive/unconnected Electricity at last mile came out as a
>>>>> consistent enabler for powering digital inclusion and by extension digital
>>>>> transformation.
>>>>>
>>>>> This therefore, is an opportunity to move forward with speed.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards
>>>>> Keith.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, 29 Nov 2020 at 20:22, Barrack Otieno via kictanet <
>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Flipping the coin and looking at the role Solar can play in powering
>>>>>> Community Networks, looks like an opportunity is ripe for engaging EPRA,
>>>>>> Senate and Parliament. This is a key infrastructure issue that can affect
>>>>>> the cost of deploying critical infrastructure @Mwendwa Kivuva
>>>>>> <kivuva at kictanet.or.ke>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sun, 29 Nov 2020, 11:43 am John R. Gicharu via kictanet, <
>>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The chances are that if nobody rigorously campaigns/ lobbies against
>>>>>>> these regulations, parliament will pass them as gazzetted by EPRA.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Regards, John Gicharu
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Sunday, November 29, 2020, 08:20:45 AM GMT+3, John Kariuki via
>>>>>>> kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> There is no technical or legal Justification for discriminating one
>>>>>>> electrical technician from another. The regulations should therefore not be
>>>>>>> substantially different from the existing ones. I am not aware of any
>>>>>>> university which trains technicians per se. That requirement is therefore
>>>>>>> superfluous. Fortunately, regulations these days require approval of
>>>>>>> Parliament and these ones should be considered "dead on arrival".
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> John Kariuki
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
>>>>>>> <https://go.onelink.me/107872968?pid=InProduct&c=Global_Internal_YGrowth_AndroidEmailSig__AndroidUsers&af_wl=ym&af_sub1=Internal&af_sub2=Global_YGrowth&af_sub3=EmailSignature>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Sun, Nov 29, 2020 at 0:14, Alice Munyua via kictanet
>>>>>>> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>>>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
>>>>>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kariuki_jn%40yahoo.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
>>>>>>> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy
>>>>>>> and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>>>>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable
>>>>>>> behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>>>>>> bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect
>>>>>>> privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>>>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
>>>>>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/john_gicharu%40yahoo.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
>>>>>>> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy
>>>>>>> and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>>>>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable
>>>>>>> behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>>>>>> bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect
>>>>>>> privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>>>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
>>>>>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
>>>>>>> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy
>>>>>>> and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>>>>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable
>>>>>>> behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>>>>>> bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect
>>>>>>> privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
>>>>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kephand%40gmail.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
>>>>>> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy
>>>>>> and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>>>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable
>>>>>> behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
>>>>>> bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect
>>>>>> privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Keith Andere
>>>>> Tech | Peace & Security | Sustainable Development | AfricaWeWant
>>>>> W: wa.me/254722565212
>>>>>
>>>>> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail or it's
>>>>> contents.
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
>>>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
>>>>>
>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bee.aidi%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
>>>>> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy
>>>>> and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>>>>
>>>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>>>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
>>>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
>>>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Beryl
>>>> ***********************************************
>>>> Beryl Aidi
>>>> Campaign and Communication Specialist
>>>> Sunnyside Communications
>>>> www.sunnysidecommunications.com
>>>> Skype: beryl.aidi | Twitter: @thespannergal
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Remember that sometimes the smallest gesture can change the world.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> kictanet mailing list
>>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
>>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
>>>>
>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kelvinkariuki89%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
>>>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>>>
>>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
>>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
>>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Warmly,
>>>
>>> Tr. Karis
>>>
>>> Twitter Handle: @teacherkaris
>>> Alt email: kkariuki at mmu.ac.ke
>>> Mobile: +2547 29 385 557
>>>
>>> The Lord is my Shepherd
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> kictanet mailing list
>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
>>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
>>>
>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kivuva%40transworldafrica.com
>>>
>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
>>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>>
>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> kictanet mailing list
>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet
>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
>>
>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nmutungu%40gmail.com
>>
>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>
>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>>
>
>
> --
> Grace Mutung'u
> Skype: gracebomu
> @Bomu
> PGP ID : 0x33A3450F
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/attachments/20201130/ace7b205/attachment.htm>