AFRICA’S PRIME POWER

ABOUT THE EVENT

The POWER & ENERGY KENYA is the only exhibition dedicated to the power and energy sector in the region. Being the largest power event in the industry the event showcases products and services to the industry’s largest gathering of qualified decision-makers, buyers, service provider, importers and distributers. International exporters choose Power & Energy Expo to make their mark in the East African region. Exhibitors get access to trade visitors from all over East & Central Africa as well as regional trade bodies in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, Mozambique & Congo.

Kenya has a population of about 54 million people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of about $109 billion. Kenya’s energy sector is among the most active and diversified in Africa, with a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources, such as hydro, geothermal, wind, solar, biomass, coal, oil and gas. According to the World Bank, the share of the population with access to electricity increased from 8% in 2000 to 85% today.

KENYA POWER & ENERGY MARKET ANALYSIS 2024

Kenya is known to support one of the most developed power sectors in sub-Saharan Africa, as it’s market has opened-up to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) like Westmont, AEP Energy Africa (Iberafrica), OrPower4 Kenya Limited, Tsavo Power Company, Aggreko and Africa Geothermal International. Kenyan power sector benefits from various factors apart from an active private sector include Kenya’s long track record as a creditworthy off-taker and an abundance of renewable energy sources, especially geothermal, wind and solar.

Kenya is on the cusp of reaching universal access to electricity. Currently, 70% of all energy consumed is from biomass. Petroleum and other sources of electricity account for only 21% and 9%, respectively. The Government has prioritised efforts to shift the energy consumption towards more cleaner and modern forms of energy. Kenya has seen one of the fastest increases in electrification rates within sub-Saharan Africa.

Kenya has made notable progress in deploying renewables in large part because it has successfully attracted the necessary private investment for renewables projects. Further development of these resources would help it meet demand growth.

Kenya’s current effective installed (grid connected) electricity capacity is 2,651 MW, with peak demand of 1,912 MW. Demand was rises at an average rate of 3.6 percent annually. Electricity supply is mostly generated by renewable sources with the majority coming from geothermal power and hydroelectricity.

As the demand forecast increases there has even been a shift to open up the nuclear sector. The Kenya Nuclear Electrification Board (Kneb) estimated that a 1,000 MW nuclear plant could be operational by 2027 and the plant could be located at either the Indian Ocean, Lake Victoria or Lake Turkana. For Kenya to achieve middle-income status, nuclear energy is viewed as the best way to produce safe, clean, reliable and base load (constant supply) electricity. The projected cost using South Korean technology was US$3.5 billion.

Kenya aims to reach full electrification by 2025. Investment in energy sector amounts to around USD 60 billion through to 2040. Concerted government policy aims to generate energy requirements through grid as well as stand-alone connections in roughly equal measure.

KENYA ANNOUNCES GREEN HYDROGEN ROADMAP AND STRATEGY WITH SUPPORT FROM EU AND GLOBAL GATEWAY

At the inaugural African Climate Summit in Nairobi, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of Kenya William Ruto unveiled the Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap for Kenya, in collaboration with Global Gateway, Europe’s investment initiative for global sustainability.

The comprehensive roadmap, developed with expertise from the European Union, outlines Kenya’s ambitions for the green hydrogen sector from 2023 to 2032 and beyond. It highlights domestic market development, exports, emission reduction goals, job creation, and direct investments.

Under the Global Gateway initiative, the EU will provide nearly €12 million in grants to stimulate public and private investments in Kenya’s green hydrogen industry. Global Gateway aims to invest €3.4 billion in climate and nature projects in Kenya, ranging from renewable energy development to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

President Ursula von der Leyen praised Kenyaâ™s commitment to clean energy, citing its target of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030. The Green Hydrogen Roadmap aims to support Kenya in reaching this goal by reducing emissions, fostering strategic industries, and enhancing export capabilities.

President William Ruto pointed out that the strategy prioritizes economic growth, job creation, environmental stewardship, and energy transition. It also anticipates the expansion of green production for key agricultural sectors such as tea, coffee, horticulture, floriculture, and grains. Additionally, green hydrogen will facilitate decarbonisation of industries and contribute to Kenyaâs economic development.

The Green Hydrogen Strategy aligns with Kenyas updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a 3rd by 2030. With over 90% of its electricity sourced from renewables, Kenya has been a pioneer in green energy transition.

This roadmap is expected to provide certainty to investors and set clear targets for the growth of the green hydrogen industry. By replacing hydrogen commodity imports with domestically produced green alternatives, Kenya aims to drive industrialization, mitigate supply risks, and reduce market price volatility.

Global Gateway, a significant climate investment effort by Team Europe, aims to support Africaâ™s inclusive, green, and digital transformation. In Kenya, Global Gateway focuses on the green economy, digital economy, and green mobility. It includes projects like the Nairobi Clean Bus Rapid Transit Line 3, which will establish East Africa’s first dedicated electric bus line with an investment of up to €350 million.

The European Investment Bank expressed its support for Kenyas green hydrogen roadmap and its commitment to strengthen technical and financial cooperation to fully harness Kenyaâ™s renewable energy potential for green hydrogen production.

As the world prepares for the 1st Global Stocktake of climate progress since the 2015 Paris Agreement, this announcement signifies Kenya’s determination to address climate change and promote sustainable development.

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