Title: The power to change: Creating lifeline and mitigation-adaptation opportunities through geothermal energy utilisation

Abstract

Access to modern energy services is key to economic development and progress towards the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Climate change presents significant threats to the
achievement of the MDGs. To achieve the objectives of the MDGs and climate change
strategies (mitigation and adaptation), low carbon energy resources such as geothermal
energy are required.
This study focuses on the possible contribution of geothermal energy in providing energy
services and creating sustainable livelihoods, while meeting the objectives of the MDGs and
climate change adaptation in the eastern Baringo lowlands, within the Marigat and East
Pokot districts, located in Kenya‘s north rift.
The potential of using geothermal energy in climate vulnerable sectors and in incomegenerating
activities using resources within a 50 km radius is summarised in a Lindal
diagram
Likewise, the potential for maladaptation from the proposed geothermal utilisation schemes
are also discussed.
To derive both mitigation and adaptation synergies from geothermal utilisation, the research
creates the first Geothermal Adaptation-Mitigation (Geo-AdaM) conceptual framework, and
identifies potential co-benefits, tradeoffs and limitations.
Finally, the research highlights some of the infrastructural development and benefits from
the Olkaria geothermal project in Naivasha (electricity production and direct use) and
assesses the potential of transferring such benefits to the undeveloped East Pokot (part of
eastern Baringo lowlands). This study brings to light the potential benefits before the
commencement of geothermal drilling in the eastern Baringo lowlands, and is thus intended
to guide geothermal developers, planners, and investors on the existing opportunities and
how they can be realised to empower and improve the lives and livelihoods of locals before
expensive drilling operations begin.