Kenya Nearing Zero-Carbon Electricity

Country Overview

The African nation of the Republic of Kenya is bordered by South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. The population of Kenya is approximately 55.10 million people.

In 2022, Kenya’s economy was ranked 59^th in gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. The country’s economy is dependent on the export of tea, cut flowers, coffee, refined petroleum, titanium ore, and tropical fruits.

Environmental Policies

In 2011, Kenya passed the Least Cost Power Development Plan with the goal of increasing renewable energy power generation by 2031.

In 2016, Kenya signed the Paris Climate Agreement, committing to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to a business as usual scenario.

Power Generation Capabilities

In 2021, 76.5% of the people in Kenya had access to electricity. In 2022, state-owned Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) used renewable energy (89.8%) and refined petroleum (10.2%) to generate electricity in the country. Geothermal, hydropower, and wind are the dominant types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Kenya.

Recent renewable energy projects in Kenya include:

• 360 MW Geothermal Project – In December 2022, KenGen commissioned the Menengai geothermal project, which is located approximately 175 miles northwest of the nation’s capital, Nairobi.
• 100 MW Wind Project – In July 2021, South African power company, BTE Renewables commissioned the Kipeto wind project at a site approximately 50 miles south of Nairobi.
• 83 MW Geothermal Project – In June 2022, KenGen commissioned the fourth and final stage of the Olkaria geothermal project at a site approximately 40 miles northwest of Nairobi.
• 40 MW Solar Project – In June 2023, Spanish power company, AltenRenewable Energy commissioned the Kesses solar project at a site approximately 150 miles northwest of Nairobi.
• 5 MW Hydropower Project – Kenya’s National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority is continuing work on Koru-Soin hydropower project, which is located approximately 220 miles northwest of Nairobi. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2025.
• 69 MW Floating Solar Project – In March 2021, German renewable energy company, ecoligo GmbH commissioned a floating solar project at a site approximately 50 miles northwest of Nairobi.

Conclusions

Kenya has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources, including geothermal, hydropower, onshore wind, offshore wind, and solar. Unlike many countries, Kenya has made the development of renewable energy a national priority.

Kenya is on track to meet its Paris Climate commitments and to generate 100% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030. Kenya Is Making Zero-Carbon Electricity A Reality

Jack Kerfoot

Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”

www.jackkerfoot.com

  Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on a diverse range of energy issues.