Kenya • Innovation at the service of low-carbon electrification

Despite a low population density (42 million in habitants in a surface area of 580,000km²) and a human development index of 0.555, putting it in 152nd place in the world, over the last 10 years, Kenya has made rapid progress in electrification.

Publication date

2018

Location

Kenya

Editor

Thibault Laconde • Consultant, Energy & Development

Introduction

Despite a low population density (42 million in habitants in a surface area of 580,000km²) and a human development index of 0.555, putting it in 152nd place in the world, over the last 10 years, Kenya
has made rapid progress in electrification. Emissions from electricity generation have remained stable throughout that period. How has the country achieved these results? Can it be used as a model for low-carbon electrification?

Contents

1 • Low emissions
• A low-carbon electricity mix
• Significant use of traditional energies
2 • Kenya’s strategy for low carbon electrification
• Situation of the Kenyan electricity sector
• Government’s strategy and action
3 • Mobilisation of economic stakeholders of all sizes
• A strategy of large projects
• Solar kits, mini-grids, pay-as-you-go…
4 • Civil society: vigilant and innovative
• Perception of projects by civil society
• The role of civil society in innovation