By Faith Jemosop a writer at Africa Digest News.
Kenya is rapidly transforming its energy landscape, making significant strides toward universal electricity access, clean cooking solutions, and renewable energy development. With a blend of strategic policies, innovative technologies, and substantial investments, the nation is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable energy within Africa.
As of late 2024, Kenya has connected approximately 9.7 million customers to the national grid, nearing its target of 10 million connections by 2025. This progress is part of the government’s broader goal to achieve 100% electricity access by 2030.
Initiatives like the Last Mile Connectivity Project have been instrumental, with Kenya Power connecting over 447,000 households and businesses in the year ending June 2024. The project, now in its fifth phase, aims to connect an additional 280,000 customers, supported by a Ksh27 billion investment.
The Rapid Results Initiative, launched in October 2023, has also accelerated connections by addressing backlogs and ensuring the availability of critical materials. However, the rapid expansion has strained the existing infrastructure, leading to increased blackouts and highlighting the need for simultaneous upgrades to the transmission network.
Recognizing the health and environmental impacts of traditional cooking methods, Kenya has set an ambitious target to achieve universal access to clean cooking solutions by 2028.
The government has launched key strategies, including the Kenya National Cooking Transition Strategy and the Kenya National Electric Cooking Strategy, to guide this transition.
The goal is to have 50% of the population using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), 30% bioethanol, 10% electric cooking, 3% biogas, and 7% sustainable biomass by 2028.
Innovative companies like Burn Manufacturing are contributing to this effort by producing affordable electric cookstoves. Burn has sold over 5 million stoves across Africa and introduced carbon credit futures to fund clean cooking projects, aligning economic incentives with environmental goals.
Kenya’s commitment to renewable energy is evident in its diversified portfolio:
- Geothermal Energy: The Menengai III Geothermal Power Station, commissioned in August 2023, adds 35MW to the grid. The Geothermal Development Company has drilled wells capable of generating up to 169 MW, showcasing the country’s geothermal potential.
- Wind Power: The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, Africa’s largest wind farm, has a capacity of 310MW, supplying power to over one million homes. This project represents the largest single private investment in Kenya’s history.
- Solar Energy: Solar power generation has seen a significant increase, now averaging 40 million kilowatt-hours per month, up from 5 million in previous years.
The Draft National Energy Policy 2025 outlines Kenya’s vision for a sustainable and inclusive energy future. It emphasizes universal electricity and clean cooking access by 2030, integration of renewable energy technologies, and the promotion of energy-efficient appliances.
Also Read: How Solar Power is Transforming Lives in Off-Grid African Villages
The policy also highlights the importance of public-private partnerships and the adoption of emerging technologies like smart grids and artificial intelligence to enhance energy system efficiency.
International collaborations are bolstering Kenya’s energy sector. For instance, d.light, a company providing solar home systems, has secured $176 million to support off-grid projects in Africa, working closely with the Kenyan government.
Safaricom raised $117 million through a sustainability-linked loan to convert its transmission sites to renewable energy sources.
While Kenya’s energy advancements are commendable, challenges remain. The rapid electrification has outpaced infrastructure upgrades, leading to power reliability issues.
Achieving universal clean cooking access requires overcoming cultural preferences and ensuring affordability and accessibility of clean cooking technologies.
