Kenya’s clean energy drive has received a major boost after the Energy and Petroleum Authority (EPRA) has been nominated to join the global renewable energy promoter giving it first-hand access to clean investment resources and the latest renewable technologies. Kenya, globally celebrated for generating up to 85% from geothermal, wind, solar and bioenergy resources of its energy needs, is aiming to go all ‘clean’ by 2030.
In a statement, the Renewable Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA) said EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo will chair the 13-member Steering Committee for the next two years. RETA enhances the capacity of regulators to fast-track clean energy transition plans by facilitating collaboration between clean energy investors, energy equipment manufacturers and clean energy knowledge.
Kiptoo said EPRA would utilise the position to enhance Kenya’s knowledge on global best practices on modern clean energy capabilities from geothermal energy exploration, battery energy storage systems, Wind Energy to promoting nationwide adoption of Electrical Mobility.
“EPRA is committed to steering the adoption of renewable energy from generation to end-use in Kenya. We have been fostering information exchange and establishing a sound regulatory framework to pave the way for clean energy adoption. Through RETA, we can collectively share knowledge and resources to expedite clean energy transition for a sustainable future for all,” he said.
On RETA’s steering committee, EPRA, now on its second term on the global body is joined by Cameroon’s Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency (ARSEL), together with energy regulators ARESEP of Costa Rica, CRE (France), ERC (North Macedonia), ERC (Thailand), NURC (St. Lucia), OEB (Ontario, Canada) and Ofgem from Great Britain with the World Bank, International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Energy Agency being permanent members.
Kenya has heavily invested in its transition to renewable energy with the period 2023/24 registering 84.93% of energy supplied to Kenya’s national grid being obtained from renewable energy sources. Geothermal energy maintained its dominance, meeting 44.55% of the total energy generation with hydro and wind generation accounted for 22.54% and 14.3%, respectively.
Additionally, utility-scale solar generation contributed 3.54% to the country’s overall energy needs. The government aims to achieve a 100% clean energy transition by 2030.
RETA’s priority areas are promoting flexible, renewable-based systems, regulatory frameworks to deliver the energy transition, network planning for wide scale electrification, regional interconnection and fair and inclusive energy transition.