Renewable Electricity in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, the current generated electricity is largely based on renewables, and is thus relatively low carbon. However, if it is up to the Kenyan Electricity Sector Partners, the share of renewables will decrease and make place for large scale central fossil fuelled electricity plants and a large share of imports. This study shows that there are enough resources in the country to provide the Kenyans with almost 100% renewable electricity, at lower costs than with partly fossil fuelled generation, even in the high demand forecast scenario. Moreover, this would mean no need for a large share of imported electricity which reduces Kenya’s dependence on Ethiopia drastically. Furthermore, there are significant amounts of resources available within most counties to supply at least a part of their own electricity needs, decreasing the need for transmission and therefore reducing the high Transmission and Distribution losses Kenya is facing. This will save more electricity and therewith emissions and costs. This study therefore indicates that regional renewable electricity generation in Kenya has the potential to abate GHG emissions and save costs, while securing the availability of electricity.