Kenya’s energy rules mean the proposed Mombasa LNG-powered data centre would almost certainly require EPRA approval if its dedicated power plant is above 1 MW. The exemption generally applies to small own-use systems below 1 MW that do not sell electricity to third parties. The fact that the facility is described as “off-grid” does not by itself remove it from licensing requirements.
For a large generation plant, EPRA would expect information on the generating units, capacity, fuel, technical design and operating arrangements. The developer would also need to demonstrate control of the site, financial capacity and the commercial basis for the project. If the plant could eventually export electricity or connect to the national grid, additional grid-related approvals would come into play.
The application would also sit alongside other approvals, particularly NEMA environmental clearance. For an offshore LNG facility, this would be significant because the assessment would need to consider emissions, marine impacts, cooling systems and LNG-related safety risks. EPRA’s licensing process therefore cannot be treated separately from the project’s wider environmental and regulatory approvals.
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The key issue for Amaco is the scale of the proposed power system. A facility capable of powering a hyperscale AI data centre would be far beyond the 1 MW threshold, meaning the developer would need to go through the formal generation-licensing process even if the electricity is used entirely by the data centre itself.
In practical terms, calling the Mombasa project “off-grid” does not mean “unregulated.” Its dedicated LNG power plant would still have to satisfy EPRA’s generation requirements, alongside environmental, maritime, safety, land and other approvals before the project could operate.
