Full meaning
African Union
Community of Sahel–Saharan States
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
Economic Community of West African States
Foreign direct investment
Gross domestic product
Inclining block tariff(s)
International Monetary Fund
Independent power producer
Kilowatt
Kilowatt hour
Liquid petroleum gas
Megawatt
Pay as you go
Power purchase agreement
Private public partnership
Standard and Poors Global Ratings
Sub-Saharan Africa
Transmission and distribution
Time of use
West African Economic and Monetary Union
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Value added tax
World Bank Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy
Projection for 2030
2017/2018 reporting year
SSA average includes South Africa. Calculation for SSA average and country data: Total consumption (2016) / total population (2016).
SSA average: 18%
This includes diesel, kerosene and gasoline subsidies.
Rates and tariffs were converted with the average exchange rate to the Euro in April 2020. Exchange rates available from ec.europa.eu
Rates and tariffs were converted with the average exchange rate to the Euro in April 2020. Exchange rates available from ec.europa.eu
Rates and tariffs were converted with the average exchange rate to the Euro in April 2020. Exchange rates available from ec.europa.eu
Energy Sector
Energy Sector
Investment Overview
Kenya’s energy sector has a healthy surplus of installed capacity relative to the country’s peak demand. In 2018, peak demand reached 1,800 MW with capacity exceeding that by nearly 1,000 MW. The country has successfully adopted more renewable energy than many in the region, with less than 60% of its electricity mix derived from fossil fuels and large hydro. Industrial uses account for over half of all electricity consumption, followed by residential use which accounts for about a third.Urban areas are mostly electrified while only two thirds of rural areas have access to electricity. Nationally, one quarter of the population remains without electricity, equivalent to 3.5 million households. Tariffs are highest for low voltage domestic and small commercial users, at an average of around €c12/kWh, which may impede affordability for some.
Kenya is targeting universal energy access by 2022. Peak demand is anticipated to increase to 10 GW by 2025, and an additional 7.2 GW will be added to installed capacity to meet this demand.
The country has a long and generally successful track record of private sector participation in the energy sector. Private companies are allowed to generate electricity, which they can sell to government-controlled entities for transmission and distribution, or use toward rural electrification in mostly off-grid areas. Private investment is also allowed in state-owned energy sector companies, albeit only as a minority shareholding.
Recent developments in the sector include two utility-scale solar plants which are driving down electricity prices and increasing the share of renewables to the energy mix. The country’s first IPP-owned utility scale solar plant, the 52 MW Malindi solar project reached financial close in June of 2019. Meanwhile, construction on the 50 MW Garissa solar plant was completed early in 2020. This project will see the state-owned Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) sell electricity to Kenya Power under a 25-year PPA.
Structure
Kenya has successfully positioned itself as one of the foremost destinations for private energy investment in the region. IPPs were first introduced in Kenya in 2000 as part of an emergency plan to ensure electricity supply during droughts. They have since become a permanent fixture in the country’s energy landscape. In 2018 Kenya had 11 IPPs with a combined capacity of 1,000 MW, accounting for nearly a third of the country's installed capacity.
Some state-owned entities like KenGen and Kenya Power (formerly KPLC) are partly privatised while the government retains majority share of ownership. KenGen, along with the IPPs, have long term PPAs with Kenya Power as the single buyer of electricity in the market. The country has about 30 private companies providing off-grid electrification through minigrids and standalone systems.
The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) generated about 61% of capacity in 2019.
IPPs covered about 39% of capacity in the same year.
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is responsible for all electricity transmission lines that were built since the company's inception in 2008.
Kenya Power, formerly Kenya Power and Lighting Company, continues to operate the transmission lines that were under its mandate prior to the establishment of KETRACO.
Kenya Power is the main distribution company in Kenya. The Rural Electrification Authority assists with extending distribution lines. The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is responsible for electricity generation and bulk selling to distributors. KenGen is 70% government owned.
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is the state-owned utility responsible for electricity transmission. The company was established in 2008, with the mandate to design, construct, operate and maintain new transmission lines above 132 kV.
Kenya Power, formerly Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), is a publicly- and privately-owned institution responsible for transmission and distribution of electricity.
The Rural Electrification Fund and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), previously REA, is responsible for rural electrification efforts (feasibility studies, development and operation) and renewable energy at large. The Ministry of Energy develops policies and regulations and oversees the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). The Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) implements policies and regulations developed by the Ministry of Energy. It conducts due diligence into off-grid companies so as to determine whether they can qualify for Kenya Revenue Authority tax exemptions. It replaced the Energy Regulatory Commission in 2019. The Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK) contributes to the development of an enabling market for clean cookstoves and is involved with capacity building of its members.
The National Land Commission (NLC) supports acquisition of land (public and trust land) and wayleave processes for generation, transmission and distribution.
The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) develops geothermal steam fields and sells the steam to KenGen for electricity generation. It conducts surface exploration and steam drilling.
The Energy Tribunal is responsible for dispute resolution between players in the sector and is funded by the national government.
The Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) is a statutory body with the primary goal of promoting investment in the country.
Some state-owned entities like KenGen and Kenya Power (formerly KPLC) are partly privatised while the government retains majority share of ownership. KenGen, along with the IPPs, have long term PPAs with Kenya Power as the single buyer of electricity in the market. The country has about 30 private companies providing off-grid electrification through minigrids and standalone systems.
Generation:
The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) generated about 61% of capacity in 2019.
IPPs covered about 39% of capacity in the same year.
Transmission:
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is responsible for all electricity transmission lines that were built since the company's inception in 2008.
Kenya Power, formerly Kenya Power and Lighting Company, continues to operate the transmission lines that were under its mandate prior to the establishment of KETRACO.
Distribution:
Kenya Power is the main distribution company in Kenya. The Rural Electrification Authority assists with extending distribution lines. The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is responsible for electricity generation and bulk selling to distributors. KenGen is 70% government owned.
The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is the state-owned utility responsible for electricity transmission. The company was established in 2008, with the mandate to design, construct, operate and maintain new transmission lines above 132 kV.
Kenya Power, formerly Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), is a publicly- and privately-owned institution responsible for transmission and distribution of electricity.
The Rural Electrification Fund and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), previously REA, is responsible for rural electrification efforts (feasibility studies, development and operation) and renewable energy at large. The Ministry of Energy develops policies and regulations and oversees the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). The Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) implements policies and regulations developed by the Ministry of Energy. It conducts due diligence into off-grid companies so as to determine whether they can qualify for Kenya Revenue Authority tax exemptions. It replaced the Energy Regulatory Commission in 2019. The Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK) contributes to the development of an enabling market for clean cookstoves and is involved with capacity building of its members.
The National Land Commission (NLC) supports acquisition of land (public and trust land) and wayleave processes for generation, transmission and distribution.
The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) develops geothermal steam fields and sells the steam to KenGen for electricity generation. It conducts surface exploration and steam drilling.
The Energy Tribunal is responsible for dispute resolution between players in the sector and is funded by the national government.
The Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) is a statutory body with the primary goal of promoting investment in the country.
Key Actors
Gridfinder Map
Transmission (OSM)
Distribution (predicted)
Electrification targets
Utility/distributor
The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is responsible for electricity generation and bulk selling to distributors. KenGen is 70% government owned.The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is the state-owned utility responsible for electricity transmission. The company was established in 2008, with the mandate to design, construct, operate and maintain new transmission lines above 132 kV.
Kenya Power, formerly Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), is a publicly- and privately-owned institution responsible for transmission and distribution of electricity.
The Rural Electrification Fund and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), previously REA, is responsible for rural electrification efforts (feasibility studies, development and operation) and renewable energy at large.
Ministry (Ministries)
The Ministry of Energy develops policies and regulations and oversees the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).Regulator
The Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) implements policies and regulations developed by the Ministry of Energy. It conducts due diligence into off-grid companies so as to determine whether they can qualify for Kenya Revenue Authority tax exemptions. It replaced the Energy Regulatory Commission in 2019.Others
The Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK) contributes to the development of an enabling market for clean cookstoves and is involved with capacity building of its members.The National Land Commission (NLC) supports acquisition of land (public and trust land) and wayleave processes for generation, transmission and distribution.
The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) develops geothermal steam fields and sells the steam to KenGen for electricity generation. It conducts surface exploration and steam drilling.
The Energy Tribunal is responsible for dispute resolution between players in the sector and is funded by the national government.
The Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) is a statutory body with the primary goal of promoting investment in the country.
Tariffs
Tariff components
Consumption Charge (€/ kWh):
€0.12
Demand Charge (€/kVA) (No time period provided. Assuming monthly):
Commercial (415V): €6.96
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Levy (/ kWh):
KES 0.03 - included in consumption charge
Rural Electrification (REP) Levy (%):
5% on total monthly consumption charge
Fuel Energy Cost (FEC) levy (€/ kWh):
Rate is variable, based on cost of thermal power generation of the previous month. Published each month in the Kenya Gazette. April 2020 rate was €0.02 (KES 2.50). Included in consumption charge.
Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) levy (€/ kWh):
Rate is variable, based on amount of hydro energy supply in previous month. Published each month in the Kenya Gazette. April 2020 rate was less than €0.01 (2.16 KES cents). Included in consumption charge.
Inflation Adjustment (€/ kWh):
Variable rate, based on CPI. Published monthly by KPLC.
Forex Fluctuation Adjustment (FERFA) (€/ kWh):
Variable rate, published monthly in Kenya Gazette. Based on sum of foreign currency costs for KPLC. April 2020 rate was less than €0.01 (23.56 KES cents). Included in consumption charge.
Tax (%):
16% VAT on bill, excluding levies
Power Factor Surcharge (%):
If power factor falls below 0.9, 2% of consumption charge, and 2% of demand charge for every 1% the factor is below 0.9.
Consumption Charge (€/ kWh):
€0.09
Demand Charge (€/kVA) (No time period provided. Assuming monthly):
Commercial (11kV): €4.52
Commercial (33kV): €2.35
Commercial (33kV): €2.35
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Levy (/ kWh):
KES 0.03 - included in consumption charge
Rural Electrification (REP) Levy (%):
5% on total monthly consumption charge
Fuel Energy Cost (FEC) Levy (€/ kWh):
Rate is variable, based on cost of thermal power generation of the previous month. Published each month in the Kenya Gazette. April 2020 rate was €0.02 (KES 2.50). Included in consumption charge.
Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) Levy (€/ kWh):
Rate is variable, based on amount of hydro energy supply in previous month. Published each month in the Kenya Gazette. April 2020 rate was less than €0.01 (2.16 KES cents). Included in consumption charge.
Inflation Adjustment (€/ kWh):
Variable rate, based on CPI. Published monthly by KPLC.
Forex Fluctuation Adjustment (FERFA) (€/ kWh):
Variable rate, published monthly in Kenya Gazette. Based on sum of foreign currency costs for KPLC. April 2020 rate was less than €0.01 (23.56 KES cents). Included in consumption charge.
Tax (%):
16% VAT on bill, excluding levies
Power Factor Surcharge (%):
If power factor falls below 0.9, 2% of consumption charge, and 2% of demand charge for every 1% the factor is below 0.9.
Consumption Charge (€/ kWh):
€0.10
Demand Charge (€/kVA) (No time period provided. Assuming monthly):
Commercial (66 kV): €1.91
Commercial (132 kV): €1.91
Commercial (220 kV): €1.74
Commercial (132 kV): €1.91
Commercial (220 kV): €1.74
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Levy (/ kWh):
KES 0.03 - included in consumption charge
Rural Electrification (REP) Levy (%):
5% on total monthly consumption charge
Fuel Energy Cost (FEC) Levy (€/ kWh):
Rate is variable, based on cost of thermal power generation of the previous month. Published each month in the Kenya Gazette. April 2020 rate was €0.02 (KES 2.50). Included in consumption charge.
Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) Levy (€/ kWh):
Rate is variable, based on amount of hydro energy supply in previous month. Published each month in the Kenya Gazette. April 2020 rate was less than €0.01 (2.16 KES cents). Included in consumption charge.
Inflation Adjustment (€/ kWh):
Variable rate, based on CPI. Published monthly by KPLC.
Forex Fluctuation Adjustment (FERFA) (€/ kWh):
Variable rate, published monthly in Kenya Gazette. Based on sum of foreign currency costs for KPLC. April 2020 rate was less than €0.01 (23.56 KES cents). Included in consumption charge.
Tax (%):
16% VAT on bill, excluding levies
Power Factor Surcharge (%):
If power factor falls below 0.9, 2% of consumption charge, and 2% of demand charge for every 1% the factor is below 0.9.
Average retail tariff by consumption category
Average LV
11.6
Domestic (average of IBTs)
13.6
Small Commercial (240V; average of IBTs)
13.6
Commercial (415V; average of peak and off-peak)
10.3
Street Lighting
8.9
Average MV
9.4
Commercial (11kV; average of peak and off-peak)
9.5
Commercial (33kV; average of peak and off-peak)
9.3
Average HV
9.5
Commercial (66kV; average of peak and off-peak)
9.1
Commercial (132kV; average of peak and off-peak)
9
Commercial (220kV; average of peak and off-peak)
7.6
Is the retail electricity tariff subject to periodic review?
NoSection 11 (b) of the Energy Act, 2019 states that EPRA (Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority) shall “set, review and adjust electric power tariffs and tariff structures and investigate tariff charges, whether or not a specific application has been made for a tariff adjustment.” As such tariff reviews are done in response to applications by sector actors and by EPRA as a matter of course.
Quality standards
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) develops quality standards, ensures compliance with international and national standards and collects evidence of compliance of companies applying to enter the Kenyan market. Standards are approved by the Standards Approval Committee and enacted pursuant to chapter 496 of the Standards Act. Relevant standards have been gazetted in April 2020 (Gazette notice 3095), August 2019 (Gazette notice 7459), March 2019 (Gazette notice 1992), August 2018 (Gazette notice 8455), November 2017 (Gazette notice 11445) and October 2014 (Gazette notice 7409). A wide range of solar standards are listed in these notices, for example, KS IEC 62109-1:2020 (Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems Part 1: General requirements) and KS 1673-2-1:2003 (General specification for solar photovoltaic systems - System design, installation, monitoring and maintenance). The notices also include a variety of improved cookstove standards, for example KS 1814-2014 (Biomass stoves - Performance Requirements and Testing) and KS 2759-2018 (Ethanol fuelled cooking appliances). The standards are available on the KEBS website.
Electrification rates
% National electrification rate
2018
% Rural electrification rate
2018
% Urban electrification rate
2018
Total installed capacity (MW)
2030
9,978.17
2018
2,778.17
Peak demand (MW)
2025
10000
2018
1802
Electricity consumption by sector (MWh), 2017
Commercial & Public Services
1221.15
Residential
2884.24
Industrial
4349.62
Per capita electricity consumption (kWh/person)
2016
160.3
SSA average (2016)
365.6
Electricity and petroleum product subsidies (% of GDP)
Electricity subsidies, 2017No data
N/A
Petroleum product subsidies, 2017
1.49%
€1,030,851,900.00