energy challenges in kenya “electrifying kenya” annabel yadoo mphil ma centre for sustainable...
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Energy Challenges in Kenya“Electrifying Kenya”
Annabel Yadoo MPhil MACentre for Sustainable Development,
Cambridge University
Cambridge Energy Forum21st October 2010
1.How many people in the world lack access to electricity in their homes?
2.How many people in the world rely on traditional biomass for cooking?
So What?.....• Poorer quality and more expensive fuels• Detrimental effect on...
Health (1.45 million deaths/yr from smoke inside the home) Education Income generation (agricultural & non-agricultural productivity) Communications Entertainment, Security, Comfort and Wellbeing
• Environmental degradation – deforestation leading to landslides, flooding, desertification, etc.
Modern energy services need to be sufficient in quantity, reliable and affordable so that the MDGs and other human and economic development goals can be achieved.
Key Challenges for the Electricity Sector in Kenya
Non-diversified fuel mix leaves the electricity network vulnerable to droughts and rising oil prices
Poor grid penetration – approx 40% of population, 16 million people, without access to electricity and only 10% of rural Kenyans with access to electricity – social and ethnic injustice
Low numbers of connections even in electrified areas – high cost of connection for users
Expensive electricity tariffs for users due to rising fuel costs
Insufficient generation capacity, weak transmission and distribution network – unreliable service
Innovations for Electricity SectorInnovation and alternative solutions are VERY important – but they are
even more vital on the “soft” side than on the “hard”For example:• Stima loan (80% of cost of connection at 15% interest, payments
spread out over 1 year) to increase household grid connections• Favourable feed-in-tariffs for renewable energy (seek stakeholder
consultation)• Training centres to build the capacity of rural project developers• Genuine commitment for increased renewable energy and
electrification from politicians and civil servants alike
Watch out for perverse incentives!Tax revenue from oil (6% of total government revenue); KPLC’s consumers pay for fuel costs; powerful incumbents including the parastatal National Oil Corporation
Into the Future• New constitution passed 27th August 2010 – increasing
decentralization, more loopholes?• Ambitious targets set out in Vision 2030 – 22% rural electrification
by 2012, 65% by 2022 and 100% by 2030• Focus on wind energy and geothermal power, but additional
thermal plants are being commissioned• Solar lanterns• Decentralised mini-grids• Biogas for electrification and cooking• Solar thermal to produce electricity?
Assistance could take the form of:Investment in local entrepreneurs and energy businesses (there are plenty)Research and Development to reduce the cost of PV and wind technologiesProvision of innovative financing mechanisms to aid project development in rural areas
