Kenya is implementing innovative energy-saving and efficiency technology from around the world to meet its decarbonization goal of having all energy-generating operations run solely on renewable energy. According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), energy efficiency, electric mobility, clean energy cooking, and battery energy storage system (BESS) technologies are among the steps being taken to expedite this aim.
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo, speaking in his capacity as Chair of the Global Energy Regulatory Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA), announced that Kenya intends to install its first 100 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) this year, with plans to expedite the development of an additional 250 MW BESS by 2026 as part of the World Bank-funded GREEN program. Kiptoo made these remarks at the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) meeting in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
In a panel discussion themed, ‘ Regulators in the driving seat – How to align all stakeholders in the race to net zero?’ Mr. Kiptoosaid that, "The energy deficit is being met with the coming on board of new and green energy projects like the planned rehabilitation of Kenya's oldest geothermal power plant, Olkaria 1. The power plant output will be increased from 45 MW to 63MW.”
According to Mr. Kiptoo, Kenya has implemented a number of tax breaks to encourage the use of electric vehicles in all car classes, with public transportation and two- and three-wheelers—which account for up to 13% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions—having priority.
Amounting to 2,859.4 MW, or 80.04% of Kenya's total installed capacity, the Director General stated that renewable energy sources were installed as of June 2024. There are 427.7 MW of captive renewable energy and 2,427.1 MW of interconnected renewable energy capacity in all. Given the steps being implemented, this is anticipated to continue expanding.
The 15th Clean Energy Ministerial and 9th Mission Innovation meeting, which is scheduled in conjunction with the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting, also received a policymakers' guide. This is the first attempt at a Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) campaign named "Empowering Regulators to Tackle Decarbonization," which aims to initiate conversations between governments and regulators worldwide in order to work proactively toward international decarbonization objectives.
RETA unites sixty regulatory agencies worldwide, with Kenya and Cameroon serving as Africa's representatives.