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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 A distributed energy system that generates electricity at a centralised location from one or a combination of energy sources and distributes to end-customers typically through a low-voltage grid. mini-grids can be isolated or interconnected with the main grid. Throughout the Country Briefs, a small IPP is defined as any grid-tied system below 10 MW that operates on a power purchase agreement (PPA), with the exclusive goal of feeding energy into the grid (no self-consumption). SHS are off-grid solar products with peak capacities generally between 11 Wp and 350 Wp, powering lights and other small DC appliances such as fans and televisions. They include battery storage for electricity supply outside periods of generation. Pico solar systems are typically below 11 Wp, offering basic energy services such as lighting and cellphone charging. Captive power systems are defined as being ‘behind the meter’ systems whose primary purpose is self consumption. These systems can be off-grid or grid-connected. For the purposes of the Country Briefs, this includes clean cookstoves, improved cookstoves, biogas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cooking systems.

Small Independent Power Producers

Overview
Kenya has one of the more advanced IPP markets on the continent, smaller projects included. Small IPP projects being planned or already under development include the Gogar (Kitui) 10 MW solar phase 1 (developed by Loop, commissioning was scheduled for Q4 2019 but progress is unclear), Kibera 10 MW waste-to-energy pilot plant (under development by Asticom Kenya), Matiri 10 MW hydro (owned by responsAbility Renewable Energy), Rupingazi 6.6 MW hydro (developed by Kleen Energy, 1.8 MW addition also planned), Samburu 10 MW solar and Transmara 10 MW solar (developed by InfraCo Africa and Gigawatt Global). The power purchase agreement for either Samburu or Transmara is planned to be denominated in local currency, which would be among the first in sub-Saharan Africa, barring South Africa. The mini-grid developer Virunga Power is also active as a small IPP in Kenya. The company has a pipeline of approximately 40 MW, some of which can be regarded as small IPP projects. Finally, the Nithi 5 MW hydro project is at late stage development by Frontier Energy.

The Kenya Electricity Sector Investment Prospectus 2018-2022 presents investment and financing opportunities for, amongst other areas, power generation. It also presents opportunities for increased private sector participation through the public private partnership and renewable energy auction framework. This is feeding into the country's strategy to increase the share of renewable energy in the mix to 80% by 2030, as set out in the National SE4All Action Agenda.
Regulations
The Energy Act of 2019, repealing the 2012 Energy Act, promotes renewable energy and stipulates the procedures involved in the generation, supply and use of electricity. Any entity involved in activities of the electricity sector is required to apply for an operating licence, however self-consumption systems below 1 MW are exempted from requiring a licence. It implements the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (FiT) System, however it remains to be seen when the tariff structures that were set out in the FiT Policy of 2008 will be enacted into an accompanying legislative text (and whether these structures will be adapted or remain the same). The act also establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Advisory Committee (RERAC).
The draft 2019 Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations require installers of all solar products and plants to be licenced by EPRA. These regulations, when fully enacted, will replace the 2012 Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations.
The Public-Private Partnerships Act (No. 15 of 2013) sets out the procedures to be followed in the procurement and closing of PPP contracts. Linked to the act, the PPP Project Facilitation Fund Regulations of 2017 were released in May 2017.
The Energy (Electricity licencing) Regulations of 2012 and the Electric Power (Electrical Installation Work) Rules of 2006 are listed on EPRA's website, but were part of repealed versions of the energy act. It is hence assumed that they are no longer in force.

Minigrids

Overview
Much of the early pioneering work with private solar mini-grids took place in Kenya. This was catalysed by the ubiquity of MPesa, Africa’s first mobile money platform. As such there are numerous private mini-grid developers active in Kenya. These include African Solar Designs, Autarsys, Devergy, DREAM Kenya, Magiro Hydro Electricity, PowerGen Renewable Energy, Powerhive, Renewvia, RVE.Sol, Steama.co, Village Industrial Power and Virunga Power.

The government has been generally supportive of the mini-grid sector, initially by allowing smaller projects to operate with relatively little regulatory oversight and more recently through programmes like the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Project (KOSAP). This programme focuses on the least developed parts of the country and is designed to provide electricity to 27,000 households working with private companies on a PPP basis. These companies will build and operate the grids, but will not own them.

As of May 2020 there were at least 307 mini-grids in varying stages of development, 121 under KOSAP, 53 by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) supported by donor funding and 133 privately-developed mini-grids.
Regulations
The Energy Act of 2019, repealing the 2012 Energy Act, promotes renewable energy and stipulates the procedures involved in the generation, supply and use of electricity. Any entity involved in activities of the electricity sector is required to apply for an operating licence, however, self-consumption systems below 1 MW are exempted from requiring a licence. A consumer who owns a power generator of capacity below 1 MW is allowed to enter into a net-metering system agreement with the distribution company. It implements the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (FiT) System, however, it remains to be seen when the tariff structures that were set out in the FiT Policy of 2008 will be enacted into an accompanying legislative text (and whether these structures will be adopted or remain the same). The act also establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Advisory Committee (RERAC).
Draft mini-grid regulations were developed in 2017-2018 by the commission but these have not been enacted into law yet, nor are they available in the public domain.
The Data Protection Act of 2019 prohibits companies from storing customer data in a foreign country unless the country has similar data protection regulations. The Act furthermore specifies procedures to be followed in the transmission, processing and storage of personal data.
The draft 2019 Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations requires installers of all solar products and plants to be licenced by EPRA. These regulations, when fully enacted, will replace the 2012 Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations.
The Public Private Partnerships Act (No. 15 of 2013) sets out the procedures to be followed in the procurement and closing of PPP contracts. Linked to the act, the PPP Project Facilitation Fund Regulations of 2017 were released in May 2017. Since mini-grids under KOSAP will operate on a PPP basis, PPP regulations will affect involved developers.
The Energy (Electricity licencing) Regulations of 2012 and the Electric Power (Electrical Installation Work) Rules of 2006 are listed on EPRA's website, but were part of repealed versions of the energy act. It is hence assumed that they are not in force anymore.

SHS/Pico Solar

Overview
Kenya has one of the largest off-grid solar markets in the world. In 2019, 1,969,483 solar home systems and pico-solar products were sold by companies affiliated with GOGLA and Lighting Global in Kenya, up from 1,269,063 in 2018. In 2019, 47% of these products were sold on a PAYGO basis, up from 41% in 2018. The remaining share of products was sold in cash. Major operating companies include but are not limited to Azuri Technologies, BBOXX, Chloride Exide, d.light, Davis and Shirtliff, FuturePump, EcoZoom, Jua Energy, Kensen Ltd, Little Sun, M-Kopa, Mobisol, Orb Energy, Rafode Ltd, SolarNow and SunCulture.

The market for solar home systems could in fact grow beyond the targets set in the Kenya National Electrification Strategy (KNES), which aimed for a total of 2.66 million households to receive access to electricity by means of solar home systems (700,000 existing as of 2018 and 1.96 million additional by 2022). This would however depend on the share of solar home systems in total sales, which is not known.

The government is a strong proponent of off-grid electrification. The Kenya Electricity Sector Investment Prospectus 2018-2022 presents investment and financing opportunities for off-grid electrification, amongst others. The Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has also recently released draft solar PV system regulations, with the goal to improve regulatory clarity and in turn spur private investment.
Regulations
The Energy Act of 2019, repealing the 2012 Energy Act, promotes renewable energy and stipulates the procedures involved in the generation, supply and use of electricity. Any entity involved in activities of the electricity sector is required to apply for an operating licence, however self-consumption systems below 1 MW are exempted from requiring a licence. The act also establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Advisory Committee (RERAC).
The draft 2019 Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations requires installers of all solar products and plants to be licenced by the Energy Regulatory Commission of Kenya (EPRA). These regulations, when fully enacted, will replace the 2012 Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations.
The Data Protection Act of 2019 prohibits companies from storing customer data in a foreign country unless the country has similar data protection regulations. The Act furthermore specifies procedures to be followed in the transmission, processing and storage of personal data.
The Energy (Electricity Licencing) Regulations of 2012 and the Electric Power (Electrical Installation Work) Rules of 2006 are listed on EPRA's website, but were part of repealed versions of the energy act. It is hence assumed that they are no longer in force.

Captive Power

Overview
Kenya boasts one of the largest captive power markets in sub-Saharan Africa. As of January 2019, the country had 15 MW of commercial and industrial (C&I) solar installed capacity alone. Most C&I solar projects serve industrial sites, incentivised by relatively high grid electricity tariffs and a supportive tax incentive programme. Project developers have indicated that the future growth of the sector would likely come from manufacturing, agricultural and horticultural facilities. The current regulatory framework makes provision for captive power and net metering specific rules were proposed.

Several flower farms have had solar PV arrays installed. These include Thika Flower Farm 200 kW installed by Sustainable Power Solutions, Timaflor Flower Farm phase 1 (100 kW) and phase 2 (180 kW) installed by Azimuth, Rift Valley Roses 75 kW installed by Harmonic Systems and Waridi Flower Farm 175 kW installed by Equator Energy. Systems have also been installed at shopping malls, for example Karen Mall 450 kW solar, Galleria Mall 562 kW solar, Garden City Mall 858 kW solar/diesel hybrid and Two Rivers mall 12 MW solar/diesel hybrid.

Captive solar power systems at educational facilities include International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology 1.15 MW, International School of Kenya 148 kW and Rosslyn Academy 115 kW. Jomo Kenyatta Airport operates a 104 kW solar-powered cargo facility and Moi Airport has a 500 kW solar system developed by Solarcentury East Africa.

Kenya's tea industry is a prominent user of captive power. Example projects include Finlays Tea 30 kW solar and 160 kW biomass, Imenti Tea Factory 1 MW hydro, Williamson Tea Changoi 1 MW solar and six hydro sites by The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), through its subsidiary KTDA Power Company (Chania 1 MW, Gura 5.8 MW, Iraru 1.5 MW, North Mathioya 5.6 MW, South Mara 2 MW and Lower Nyamindi 1.5 MW). KTDA is exploring 16 additional sites.

Finally, many safari lodges are turning to captive power generation. For example, Mettle/OFGEN has implemented several solar systems, all with battery storage, including Amboseli Serena (660 kW), Kilaguni Serena (305 kW) and Mera Serena (640 kW).

Other captive power installers include African Solar Designs, Arconi Solutions, Asantys Systems, Astonfield Solar, Chloride Exide, CrossBoundary Energy, Distributed Power Africa, GivePower (SolarCity), Greenlink, GridX Africa, Knights Energy, PowerGen Renewable Energy, Premier Solar Group, SolarNow, Tembo Power and WK Power.
Regulations
The Energy Act of 2019, repealing the 2012 Energy Act, promotes renewable energy and stipulates the procedures involved in the generation, supply and use of electricity. Any entity involved in activities of the electricity sector is required to apply for an operating licence, however self-consumption systems below 1 MW are exempted from requiring a licence. A consumer who owns a power generator of a capacity below 1 MW is allowed to enter into a net-metering system agreement with the distribution company. It implements the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (FiT) System, however it remains to be seen when the tariff structures that were set out in the FiT Policy of 2008 will be enacted into an accompanying legislative text (and whether these structures will be adapted or remain the same). The act also establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Advisory Committee (RERAC).
The Data Protection Act of 2019 prohibits companies from storing customer data in a foreign country unless the country has similar data protection regulations. The Act furthermore specifies procedures to be followed in the transmission, processing and storage of personal data.
The draft 2019 Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations require installers of all solar products and plants to be licenced by EPRA. These regulations, when fully enacted, will replace the 2012 Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations.
The Energy (Electricity licencing) Regulations of 2012 and the Electric Power (Electrical Installation Work) Rules of 2006 are listed on EPRA's website, but were part of repealed versions of the energy act. It is hence assumed that they are not in force anymore.

Clean Cooking

Overview
The primary fuels being used for cooking particularly in the rural areas of Kenya are wood (66% of the population), followed by charcoal (17% of the population), liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene (9% and 2% of the population respectively). There are over 1,500 kerosene dispensing points in Nairobi alone.

A wide range of clean cooking technologies are being sold by the private sector and non-profit organisations. The list of organisations operating in the country includes Acacia Innovations/Kuni Safi, African Christians Organisation Network (ACON), (B)energy, Biogas International, Boma Safi, Burn Manufacturers, Circle Gas, Climate Pal, Consumer’s Choice, EcoZoom, Envirofit, Gundua Engineering, Jiko Kisasa Multipurpose, Kencoco, Koko Networks, Mukuru Clean Cookstoves, Paygo Energy, Potential Energy, Prime Cookstoves, Ramtons, Scode, Sanivation, Stamp Cleantech and Wisdom Stoves. The cooking technologies sold by these organisations can be grouped under five main categories: Wood stoves, charcoal stoves, LPG stoves, kerosene stoves, electrical appliances and an ‘other’ category that includes biogas, ethanol and solar based cooking solutions.

The government supports the growth of improved cookstoves in the country with the Energy (Improved Biomass Cookstoves) Regulations 2013. The regulations specify various classes of licensing pertaining to improved cookstoves.

In 2018, only 15% of the population had access to clean cooking. As a result, the national government has set a target of universal access to modern clean cooking solutions by 2030. The main fuels targeted at achieving this are LPG, electricity, biogas, bioethanol and improved solid fuel cookstoves. Support organisations like EcoZoom Kenya have distributed 17,000 efficient charcoal and wood-burning cookstoves and Africa Biogas Partnership Programme (ABPP) has installed 13,260 biodigesters and established 22 marketing hubs.
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