Electricity in Kenya in 2023/2024

In Kenya, over the past year, from July 2023 to June 2024, the nation generated a significant amount of its electricity through low-carbon sources. With a total of approximately 11.5 TWh, low-carbon energy—comprised of geothermal (5.7 TWh), hydropower (3.4 TWh), wind (1.8 TWh), and net imports (1.1 TWh)—constituted essentially all electricity production, indicating an impressive commitment to clean energy. When compared to the global average electricity consumption of about 3,606 watts per person, Kenya's electricity consumption per capita is considerably lower. This lower electricity generation per person could potentially limit the availability of power for both residential and industrial use, slowing economic growth and hindering access to modern conveniences and vital services.

Suggestions

To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Kenya can focus on expanding its wind and solar infrastructure, taking cues from prominent examples of success seen globally. Countries like India and Brazil have achieved substantial outputs from wind energy, with 92 TWh and 97 TWh respectively, illustrating the potential of scaling up wind energy for substantial low-carbon output. Likewise, India’s solar efforts have yielded 125 TWh, proving solar also has significant benefits. By investing in these green technologies, Kenya could not only increase its electricity supply but also boost its economic resilience and environmental sustainability, gradually closing the gap with global electricity consumption averages.

History

The evolution of Kenya's low-carbon electricity landscape has been marked by milestones, particularly in geothermal and wind energy. In the early 2000s, hydropower saw fluctuations with substantial decreases in 1999 and 2000, though there were notable expansions in several subsequent years. Since the mid-2010s, geothermal energy has notably increased, with increments in both 2014 and 2015, cumulatively adding around 2.5 TWh during those years. By 2019, wind energy made a significant leap forward with an addition of 1.2 TWh. In recent years, from 2021 to 2023, further positive strides were seen in both wind and geothermal growth. These developments underscore Kenya's progress and potential in expanding its low-carbon energy capacity to meet future demands.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources