Kenya’s Clean Energy Progress: A Pathway to Sustainable Development

Kenya, a country known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant wildlife, is also making significant strides in its pursuit of clean energy. Today, Kenya generates approximately 93% of its electricity from renewable sources. Recognizing the environmental, economic, and social benefits of transitioning to renewable energy sources, Kenya has set ambitious goals to achieve 100% clean energy by 2030 by harnessing its abundant renewable resources.  

The country has also been investing heavily in expanding its power transmission and distribution infrastructure to connect more people to the grid. Today, over 75% of Kenyans have access to electricity, up from 28% in 2013, thanks mainly to the Last Mile Connectivity Program.

Kenya aims to become a middle-income economy by 2030 while achieving sustainable development. Currently, renewables accounts for about 90% of its installed capacity. The Kenyan government has been investing heavily in this sector, which has helped to attract private investment in the industry. 

In this regard, in March 2023, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum in collaboration with Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) hosted the first phase of the Italy-Kenya Geothermal Business and Investment Forum aimed at introducing innovative solutions towards businesses, investments and future partnerships.

This was followed in early May 2023 by a state visit to Kenya  by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who pledged to give to Kenya technical and financial support for the planned expansion of the Olkaria Geothermal Complex in Naivasha.

Renewable energy landscape

Kenya is blessed with diverse renewable energy resources, including geothermal, wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Among these, geothermal energy holds great significance. The country’s geothermal power plants generate electricity by tapping into the heat of the earth’s core through underground reservoirs of hot water and steam. Geothermal energy now accounts for nearly 50% of total power generation in the country, with an installed capacity of 949.13MW as of June 2022.

With geothermal power plants such as Olkaria I, II, and III, Kenya has established itself as a leader in this field, contributing significantly to its clean energy portfolio. Kenya is currently the largest producer of geothermal energy in Africa, with a capacity of over 800 MW.

 Kenya has prioritised geothermal energy development as the de facto base load among its vast renewable energy sources. The Government, therefore, plans to increase the national installed capacity of geothermal electricity generated to about 10,000MW.

To enhance interest from the private sector, the Government has issued licences for geothermal resources exploration and development to two public power companies and 14 Independent Power Producers (IPPs). These entities are set to develop 23 existing geothermal fields.

Kenya has also invested heavily in wind power. Most of its wind farms are located in areas with high wind speeds, such as the Turkana region in northern Kenya. The Lake Turkana Wind Power project, which is the largest wind farm in Africa, has a capacity of 310 MW and produces about 17% of Kenya’s total installed capacity. Other wind farms in Kenya include the Ngong Hills Wind Power Station, which has a capacity of 25.5 MW, and the Kipeto Wind Power Project, which is under construction and is expected to have a capacity of 100 MW.

Kenya’s solar energy potential is immense due to its favorable climatic conditions too. The country has a lot of sunshine throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar power generation. The government has championed solar initiatives, including the installation of solar streetlights and the promotion of off-grid solar power systems. These efforts have brought affordable and sustainable energy solutions to remote and underserved areas, empowering communities and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels.

Solar panels are affordable to make and install and have a lifespan of around 30 years, thus making solar power the cheapest form of electricity.The Garissa Solar Plant spearheaded by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) is the largest grid-connected solar power plant in East and Central Africa. This power plant harnesses abundant solar energy to diversify the power generation mix and reduce energy costs.

Hydropower, with a capacity of over 820 MW, has long been a cornerstone of Kenya’s renewable energy sector, with several large hydroelectric power plants, such as Seven Forks and Sondu-Miriu, harnessing the power of rivers. While hydropower faces challenges related to water scarcity and variability, it continues to be a crucial component of Kenya’s clean energy journey.  

Government commitment and policy framework

Kenya’s remarkable progress in clean energy can be attributed to the government’s unwavering commitment and robust policy framework. The Vision 2030 development blueprint identifies renewable energy as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. The government has developed various strategies and policies to incentivize the deployment of renewable energy technologies.

One such initiative is the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) program, introduced in 2008, which guarantees investors a fixed price for the electricity generated by their projects for up to 20 years. The FiT program has attracted private investments and encouraged the development of renewable energy projects across the country. It has provided a stable and predictable revenue stream for renewable energy producers, fostering market growth and promoting energy diversification.