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Drivers and Barriers to Substituting Firewood with Biomass Briquettes in the Kenyan Tea Industry

Author

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  • Amalia Suryani

    (Institute for Infrastructure and Resource Management, Universität Leipzig, Grimmaische Str. 12, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
    Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Alberto Bezama

    (Department of Bioenergy, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Claudia Mair-Bauernfeind

    (Institute of System Science, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, Merangasse 18/I, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Macben Makenzi

    (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Riverside Drive, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Daniela Thrän

    (Institute for Infrastructure and Resource Management, Universität Leipzig, Grimmaische Str. 12, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
    Department of Bioenergy, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
    Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum Gemeinnützige GmbH, 04347 Leipzig, Germany)

Abstract

The tea industry in Kenya is among the main consumers of firewood for its intensive thermal energy demand. Along with the growing concerns about firewood depletion, tea factories have begun transitioning to alternative fuels to power their boilers. Briquettes made of biomass residues are among the promising solutions; however, they are not yet widely adopted. This study was conducted to identify the factors that motivate the tea factories to use biomass briquettes instead of firewood and the factors hindering such substitution. The substitution potential was assessed, and the drivers and barriers of the substitution were examined using a combination of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis and a PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal) framework. The findings suggest that even though using biomass briquettes is technically possible, it is not economically favorable for tea factories. The SWOT/PESTEL analysis identified 27 factors influencing the substitution. Among the key drivers are the depleting supply of firewood, the availability of biomass residues, and the external support from development organizations to improve the technical capacity in both tea and briquette industries. The study revealed the barriers to substitution include the cost competitiveness, insufficient supply, and varying quality of briquettes, as well as the lack of awareness and knowledge of briquettes.

Suggested Citation

  • Amalia Suryani & Alberto Bezama & Claudia Mair-Bauernfeind & Macben Makenzi & Daniela Thrän, 2022. "Drivers and Barriers to Substituting Firewood with Biomass Briquettes in the Kenyan Tea Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-24, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:9:p:5611-:d:809983
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    References listed on IDEAS

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