- Kenya has positioned itself as a leader in the green energy transition in Africa.
- Kenya aims to achieve 100% renewable energy by the year 2030.
- Geothermal energy accounts for approximately 45% of total electricity in Kenya at the moment.
- The list indicating electricity generation by source is the courtesy of Kenya Power and KNBS.
Kenya’s energy sector is predominantly powered by renewable sources, with approximately 90% of the country’s electricity generated from clean energy. This included a diverse mix of geothermal energy (45%), hydropower (19%), solar energy (17%), and wind energy (3%).
The geothermal power plants located at Olkaria I, Olkaria II, Olkaria III, Olkaria IV, and Olkaria I unit 4& 5, and another one at Eburru, have the capacity to generate up to 533.5 MW. In July 26, 2022, Kenya’s former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, commissioned Olkari V and Olkaria IAU6 with an installed capacity of 158 MW and 83.3 MW, respectively.
Kenya has also made significant strides in its renewable initiatives, positioning itself as Africa’s leading country to have transitioned to green energy. The government has ambitious plans to achieve 100% renewable energy by the year 2030, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainable development.
Local electricity generation increased from 1,081.62 million kWh in October 2023 to 1,103.49 million kWh in October 2024. The total electricity generation also rose from 1,046.15 million kWh in December 2024 to 1,067.34 million kWh in December 2024. There was however a notable decrease in December 2023, when Kenya Power only recorded 970.83 million kWh in total generation.
The report shows that geothermal energy has been the leading electricity generator in Kenya in the past 23 months. Geothermal power recorded the highest production in January 2024 of 505.91 million kWh, compared to 524.82 million kWh in January 2023. Solar energy is the least electricity generator in Kenya as of November 2024.
Kenya Power reported a decline in local electricity generation from 1,103.5 million kWh in October 2024 to 1,067.3 million kWh in November 2024. The total electricity generation and imports also fell from 1,233.6 million kWh in October 2024 to 1,201.0 million kWh in November 2024.
The Kenya Power and Lighting Company’s (KPLC) sales rose from 934.5 million kWh to 937.7 million kWh in the same period. Electricity imports increased from 130.1 million kWh to 133.7 million kWh in October and November, respectively. Similarly, electricity exports rose from 3.1 million kWh to 3.4 million kWh during the same period.
The report also shows that the total electricity imports declined to 133.69 million kWh in November 2024, compared to December 2023, when Kenya imported a total of 138.70 million kWh. Similarly, total exports decreased to 3.42 million kWh compared to 4.01 million kWh in December 2023.
There was also a notable increase in exports from 3.10 million kWh in October 2024 to 3.42 million kWh in November 2024. Uganda and Ethiopia remain Kenya’s leading electricity importation partners, with Uganda being the major export destination.
