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Green technology

Kenya Shifts to Green Energy Amidst Worst Drought in Decades

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Kenya's electricity generator, Kengen, has resorted to using geothermal, wind, and solar power during the day to compensate for the drastic drop in hydroelectric power generation due to the severe drought afflicting the country. Despite this switch, Kengen's acting CEO, Abraham Serem, assured the public that the country will not experience power blackouts, citing a backup plan involving imported power from Ethiopia. The drought has significantly impacted 30 counties, leaving millions of residents and their livestock at risk of starvation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kengen has switched to using geothermal, wind, and solar power during the day to compensate for the reduced hydroelectric power generation due to the drought, which has drastically affected all its hydropower plants countrywide.
  • The energy generator has a backup plan to ensure continuous power supply, including importing more than 200mw from Ethiopia.
  • Kenya Power is currently using geothermal, wind, and solar power during the day and hydroelectric power at night.
  • Kengen's acting CEO, Abraham Serem, assured the public that there will be no blackouts despite the reduced hydroelectric power generation.
  • The company is currently producing 91 percent of its electricity from green energy sources, with a target of reaching 100 percent by 2030 with the help of the European Investment Bank (EIB).
  • The EIB is committed to supporting green energy projects in Kenya, including a recent agreement with the Ministry of Energy to support renewable energy projects as part of addressing climate change.
  • The EIB has spent more than 41 billion Euros in the last four years to support green energy projects in Africa.

Statistics:

  • 30 counties in Kenya have been affected by the worst drought in decades, leaving millions of residents and their livestock facing starvation.
  • More than 200mw of electrical power is being imported from Ethiopia by Kenya Power to address the deficit due to the drought.
  • Kengen is currently producing 91 percent of its electricity from green energy sources.
  • The European Investment Bank has spent more than 41 billion Euros in the last four years to support green energy projects in Africa.
  • 2030 is the target year for Kenya to reach 100 percent of its electricity production from green energy sources with the help of the EIB.

Sources:

  • Kengen acting CEO, Abraham Serem
  • European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-president, Thomas Ostros
  • The European Investment Bank (EIB)
  • Kenya Power
  • The Ministry of Energy (Kenya)
  • 20 (no date or publication date mentioned in the source)

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