STORY: Chinese solar tech hastening green energy transition in Kenya: business leader
DATELINE: Aug. 10, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:31
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT
 
SHOTLIST:
1. Various of Africa energy forum exhibitors
2. SOUNDBITE (English): JIBRIL MOHAMED OMAR, CEO of OFGEN
3. various of solar panels on display
 
STORYLINE:
 
Kenya's quest to cut carbon emissions has received a much-needed boost, thanks to the adoption of Chinese-manufactured solar products by households and commercial premises, said an industry executive. 
 
Jibril Mohamed Omar, CEO of OFGEN, said that access to affordable and high-quality solar technology solutions from China is behind the green energy transition in Kenya.
 
SOUNDBITE (English): JIBRIL MOHAMED OMAR, CEO of OFGEN (a renewable energy service provider)
"Most of the renewables, particularly solar, I think the biggest manufacturers are from China when it comes to solar panels and modules and inverters. But yes 80% of materials (of our company) come from China, sourced from China. Chinese market has really developed renewable energy. When it came into mass production, the Chinese produce quite a good number and eventually the cost of production meant the cost of technology reducing and also the technology improving significantly, very quickly. With China, the raw materials are very readily available. That has made it way much easier for them to manufacture the components for us."
 
Kenya is striving to harness green energy sources, including solar, geothermal, and wind power, in an effort to provide electricity to 30 percent of its off-grid population. 
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)