The government of Kenya and Israel have entered into a five-year partnership aimed at enhancing the development of renewable energy in Kenya.
The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was signed by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, and Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, Michael Lotem. The MoU sets the stage for long-term collaboration in the energy sector, focusing on sharing expertise, technology transfer, and capacity building to support Kenya’s transition to clean energy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel will support Kenya’s renewable energy initiatives by offering technical training, professional support, and access to advanced technologies. This includes assistance in improving energy distribution networks and minimizing technical and commercial losses that currently affect the country’s energy system.
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Energy solutions
According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), technical losses from transmission and distribution reached 24.2% in the second half of 2024, exceeding the acceptable threshold of 17.5%. The partnership aims to address these inefficiencies by incorporating Israeli expertise in power storage and grid stabilization.
A key element of the cooperation is the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for energy in Kenya. This facility will serve as a hub for nurturing skilled professionals in the renewable energy sector and strengthening human capital needed for the country’s green energy future. Additionally, the agreement will facilitate collaborations between academic institutions in both countries to enhance training programs and research in renewable energy.
The scope of the MoU extends beyond solar and geothermal energy to include biomass, energy efficiency, electric power generation and transmission, and critical infrastructure protection. It also opens the door for further collaboration in areas mutually identified by the two nations. CS Wandayi expressed confidence that the partnership with Israel would significantly accelerate Kenya’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy, while Ambassador Lotem emphasized the importance of building local expertise to ensure long-term sustainability of the transition.
