Kenya has announced receipt of US $46M from the World Bank to boost the country’s energy plans. Luis Tineo, the interim CEO of Climate Investment Funds (CIF) made the announcement and said this is a positive step towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future for Kenya and sets a strong example for other nations to follow in their pursuit of decarbonization.
The funds will support investments aimed utilizing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Renewable energy sources generate over 80% of Kenya’s electricity today, placing the country of 50 million people well on its way to meeting its goal of transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2030.
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Energy in Kenya
With an installed power capacity of 2,819 MW, Kenya currently generates 826 MW hydroelectric power, 828 geothermal power, 749 MW thermal power, 331 MW wind power, and the rest from solar and biomass sources.
Kenya is also the largest geothermal energy producer in Africa and also has the largest wind farm on the continent (Lake Turkana Wind Power Project). In March 2011, Kenya opened Africa’s first carbon exchange to promote investments in renewable energy projects.
But getting that final 20% will require the country’s energy policy experts to get creative—not only to expand on Kenya’s rich natural potential for geothermal energy, from which the country currently generates nearly half of its energy, but also to harness the country’s wind and solar resources.
According to Keith Hansen, the World Bank’s country director for Kenya, by investing in smart and flexible energy systems, the country is not only advancing its environmental sustainability but also ensuring universal access to electricity.
