| Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, Global Public Policy

Can Kenya retain its position as a climate and renewable energy frontrunner in the sub-Saharan region?

The new policy brief from Brandt School Director Prof. Andreas C. Goldthau, EIPCC researchers Laima Eicke and Silvia Weko, and other colleagues at the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) recommends how Kenya can expand their renewable energy capacities and improve energy access and security

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© Adobe Stock / martin

Despite covering 88% of domestic electricity from renewable sources in 2020, the energy sector in Kenya still faces some challenges. These challenges include a lack of universal access, affordability issues and limitations in the transmission and distribution network. Because of these challenges, Kenya could face a capacity surplus of generated electricity that cannot be absorbed by demand. In addition, recent discoveries of oil and gas reserves in the country could negatively impact Kenya’s position as a leader in renewable energy development.

This policy brief includes three key recommendations that Kenyan policymakers should consider to ensure they continue down the path of sustainable energy development:

  1. Improve the quality of the grid.
  2. Liberalize the electricity market.
  3. Promote decentralized energy supply options.

For more on these recommendations, check out the full brief here.

This is the second in a series of policy briefs presenting recommendations to advance energy transitions in Malaysia, Kenya, and Jordan.

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