The manufacturing industry has been able to save up to Sh9 billion in production costs in the last three years through implementing various energy efficiency measures, the industry association has said. This is an equivalent of 165MW of power that the companies would have paid for, but gone to waste.

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers Chief Executive Betty Maina said industries across the board are working on cutting the high usage of energy where electricity alone accounts for more than 35 per cent of their operating costs.

"Energy consumption is expensive for the industry especially given that only less than 50 per cent of our power is generated through hydro means, the rest uses expensive fuels," she said. "We cannot expect to attract investors if the cost of energy is so high and supply not adequate," Maina added. Maina was speaking during the release of an audit report on the water usage, another energy resource.

The audit by Water Supply Providers Association and BFZ of Germany involved 29 companies and estimated potential savings of Sh103 million a year to the companies through some efficiency measures.

At least 20 energy saving measures for water were identified, these include correct sizing of pumps,use efficient motors, replacement of faulty pipes, load balancing and tariff migration. The findings also proposed some renewable energy avenues such as use of solar pumping and turbine pumps. KAM is now working with different companies to extend the benefits of energy saving and save costs

During the event, the Ministry of Energy also announced that the distribution of 1.25 million energy saving bulbs completed last year, has saved the national grid up to 60MW. This is about 4.5 per cent of the total 1359MW power generated annually. The ministry is also proposing to form a fully fledged national public entity to be tasked with promotion and facilitation of energy efficiency and conservation.