Kenya's electricity landscape in 2024 is predominantly low-carbon, with over 90% of its electricity stemming from clean resources, including geothermal, hydropower, and wind. Geothermal energy leads the pack, contributing over half of the low-carbon electricity generation. Hydropower and wind collectively form almost a third of the clean energy output. The remainder of Kenya’s electricity production is fossil-based, accounting for a small fraction. When evaluated on a per-person basis, Kenya's electricity consumption is 244 kWh, which is significantly lower than the global average of 3781 kWh per person. Such low levels of electricity generation may hinder economic development and limit access to technology, exacerbating issues such as inadequate healthcare services and insufficient educational infrastructure, all of which rely heavily on electricity.
Is Electricity Growing in Kenya?
The stagnation in Kenya's electricity consumption is concerning, as it has plateaued at 244 kWh per person since 2022. Additionally, there is a slight decline in low-carbon electricity, dropping from 210 kWh per person in 2022 to 207 kWh per person in 2024. These figures indicate a pressing need for investment and innovation in the energy sector to stimulate growth not only in consumption but also in generation, promoting sustainable development. Without such growth, Kenya could face challenges in meeting the increasing electricity demands essential for modernizing industries and improving quality of life across various sectors.
Suggestions
To enhance its clean electricity output, Kenya could significantly expand its existing wind resources, which already contribute meaningfully to the country's energy mix. Looking at successful regions like Brazil and Germany, which generate considerable electricity from wind, Kenya can adopt policies and practices that support the growth of this sector. Additionally, the People's Republic of China and India have demonstrated remarkable success in scaling up solar production. For a diversified energy strategy, Kenya might also consider investments in nuclear technology, learning from countries such as France and the United States, which successfully integrate a substantial share of nuclear power into their grids. Integrating lessons from these regions can drive Kenya towards a more sustainable and secure energy future.
History
Kenya's history with low-carbon electricity generation offers valuable insights for future strategies. Over the decades, hydropower has experienced fluctuations, with notable declines in the late 1990s and mid-to-late 2000s, but has since seen incremental recoveries. The 2010s marked significant increases in geothermal capacity and the early entry into wind energy, indicative of strategic advances in green technologies. The wind sector, in particular, saw notable growth in 2019 and 2021, aligning with global trends towards greater emphasis on sustainable electricity sources. These experiences underscore the importance of establishing resilient, adaptive renewables frameworks for enduring energy security.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.