Ocean currents can be used to produce energy – KMA

The currents in the Indian Ocean can be harnessed to produce clean energy, the Kenya Maritime Authority has said.

KMA director general Martin Munga on Monday said the currents are a viable source of energy that can be used to power the Mombasa and Lamu ports.

“When a vessel stalls mid-sea, say in Shimoni, it may be pushed by currents to Malindi or Lamu. It means there are currents that we can use to generate power,” Munga said.

“It is a solution that Kenya can come up with and help produce clean energy.” 

Currently, the Mombasa port runs on power from Kipevu 1, 2 and 3 and Rabai stations, which use diesel oil.

“Our port wants to become a green port. It cannot be a green port if we are using energy from diesel.” 

Diesel is "the worst when it comes to emitting green gases that cause climate change", Munga added, a challenge that the world is struggling to contain.

Additionally, ocean currents are available 24/7, regardless of the weather.

“They can turn the turbines and produce power. We are also looking at such solutions,” he said.

The DG, an offshore energy expert, said shipping lines and countries should adopt technology that ensures a reduction in the use of fossil fuels.

“The world right now is working towards reducing pollution by vessels.”

KMA is implementing policies to support the harnessing of blue economy potential. 

“When our government went to Paris (for the climate change summit), it committed to reducing greenhouse emission,” he said.

Sensitisation of users of the water bodies and the beneficiaries is critical in the conservation of the ocean and other inland water bodies, he said.

But conservation efforts should not be left to KMA alone, the DG said, and stakeholders must join hands towards the fight against climate change.

Munga made the remarks on the sidelines of a workshop on decarbonising maritime transport in Kenya. 

The workshop, under the banner of GreenVoyage 2050, is championed by the International Maritime Organization and aims to achieve zero greenhouse emissions in 2050.

IMO’s officials and those from the German Development Agency, GIZ and university students, attended the workshop.

Shipping and Maritime Administration Secretary, Isaiah Nakoru, said the government is keen to honour its commitment to reducing greenhouse gases.

Nakoru, who represented Principal Secretary Geoffrey Kaituko at the three-day workshop, said the 15-billion tree planting programme is one way through which the government is working to clean the air.

Ship owners and agents must come up with ways through which they will commit to reducing carbon footprints during their voyages.

“We have laws and policies to ensure those who use the ocean are held accountable for their activities at sea,” Nakoru said.

The government is also ready to harness more geothermal energy from sources across the country.