Kenya Receives Over KSh 2.8b Grant From European Union To Boost Green Energy Generation

• The Kenyan government remains keen on achieving a 100% transition to green energy by the year 2030
• Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir explained that the country's green energy currently stands at 92%
• Chirchir spoke during the launch of the Green Resilient Electricity System Programme for Kenya in partnership with the European Union on Tuesday, May 21

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia brings over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Kenya has partnered with the European Union (EU) and Team Europe partners (KfW and EIB) to support its agenda of a 100% transition to green energy by 2030.

The EU contributed €20 million (KSh 2.8 billion) to support the country's Green Resilient Electricity System Programme.

How much will Kenya need for 100% green energy?

Speaking during the launch of the €256 million (KSh 36 billion) programme, Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir noted that the initiative aims to make the Kenyan energy system more resilient, efficient, and clean.

"The programme definitely contributes to Kenya’s energy and climate goals, powering socio-economic growth and transformation and supporting green industrialization, employment, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Chirchir during the launch at the IEA 9th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency on Tuesday, May 21.

How EU will support Kenya's 100% green energy

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, who signed a bilateral agreement with CS Chirchir, said the programme will boost Kenya's sustainable energy future through critical investments and capacity-building measures to expand the country's production of green electricity.

“The programme will support Kenya’s socioeconomic development and green transition. It boosts the renewable energy sector by increasing electricity generation capacity through additional generation from hydro, geothermal and solar sources and strengthening reliability and efficiency of the transmission system," said Simson.

Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, the energy CS confirmed that the KSh 36 billion under the programme will close in from the current 92% to 100% green energy transition.

"We are at 92%, and the partnership is aimed at closing the gap to 100% by enhancing grid strengthening and grid code improvement to bring in more sources like solar, wind, and battery storage," said Chirchir.

He welcomed the partnership, noting that the government will work closely with the EU.

How green energy transition will offset electricity challenges

"There is some good funding coming in under the green resilience electricity programme to help us in the transition and create a strong transmission network to offset the challenges related to floods," he said.

During rainfall and flooding, Kenya's electricity network is subjected to damage of electricity supply infrastructure, thus leading to power interruption.

In April 2024, Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) urged its customers to stay safe and alert during the rainy season, which resulted in floods.

Are there other EU investments in Kenya's green energy?

In 2023, the EU vowed to increase its investments in Kenya by hundreds of millions of dollars to bolster ties.

The EU ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, said the move aimed to unlock "untapped potential to be uncovered and exploited."

The agreements include a $200 million (KSh 25.9 billion) pledge by the European Investment Bank to help the Trade and Development Bank, run by several African states, support companies in eastern and southern Africa affected by the war in Ukraine.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke