Geothermal energy in Kenya: Evaluating health impacts and environmental challenges

Abstract

Geothermal energy has emerged as a transformative renewable resource in Kenya's energy landscape, offering immense potential for sustainable power generation in the current century. This review paper aims at identifying challenges experienced in geothermal energy in Kenya with environmental and health impacts from the output through a review study. The study used a descriptive systematic approach with consideration of existing relevant journals, Energy Act and policies and other grey reports from international bodies. A total of 132 peer reviewed journal articles were considered in the study depending on the themes considered. Currently, the extraction of geothermal energy is at 889 MW from the potential 10,000 MW from 14 potential sites. The findings from the study show that environmental challenges can be experienced in site preparation, plant construction, during the operation and during the decommissioning. During the process, environmental impacts such as surface disturbance, solid and liquid waste, seismic activities, impact on air quality, air pollution, forest and biodiversity and chemical pollution from waste and surface disruption have been experienced. During the drilling process, the exposure of geothermal fluids leads to fouling of heavy metals and gases potential of health challenges such as eye irritation, respiratory, neurological effects when safe thresholds are exceeded. The findings show that despite the increase in exploration, the health effects remain within the standards set by the WHO. The environmental effects are not widespread, indicating that geothermal energy's impact is manageable and within containable limits.