Workshop: Policies for enhanced transition to sustainable energy systems in Kenya

Background

Kenya’s electricity generation has grown remarkably, with an estimated 88% of its grid mix in 2022 coming from renewables, mainly geothermal, wind, and solar electricity. This is partly attributed to the changing and favourable policy environment, and the country’s obligations to international treaties of achieving 100% renewable electricity in the grid: political economic factors and regulatory landscape. Whereas the country prides itself in its expansion of solar and wind technologies, these sources only accounted for 16% of the total generation mix in the 2022/23 financial year. Kenya is perceived to have unexploited opportunities for the expansion of RE resources and to support increased investments, a renewable electricity auction policy has been developed to spur growth in this regard. Arguably, the implementation of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and renewable energy auction policies could further facilitate RE expansion on a broader scale.

Previous research has highlighted opportunities and challenges that may influence the government’s efforts in maintaining a high renewable energy mix and potentially achieving 100% renewable electrification expansion plans. Past studies attributed to this expansion agenda have focused on the energy sector policy instruments, challenges and opportunities, and barriers and constraints in policy implementation. However, empirical evidence has been scanty around the systemic factors that influence a join-up development and implementation of renewable policies which may have a positive impact on Kenya’s transition to a sustainable energy system.

The study involved a wide range of renewable energy ecosystem stakeholders who participated during the data collection stage, either in the online survey or key informant interviews (KIIs). Towards a join-up knowledge generation and sharing of findings, we have convened a workshop to present the findings of the study and enhance a collective use of evidence for energy planning and increased contribution of renewable energy to Kenya’s development agenda. This workshop will bring together the study participants as well as other stakeholders in the RE ecosystem including policymakers, academia, the private sector, development partners, and community stakeholders. The study was supported through the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) Flexible Research Fund (FRF) of the FCDO, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and delivered by Loughborough University.

Workshop objectives

The workshop provides an interactive space to share the research findings with the RE ecosystem stakeholders, validate the results, and further co-create relevant knowledge that will positively shape the development and deployment of new or emerging renewable energy policies in Kenya. Specific objectives of the workshop include:

1. Present findings on the institutional, political, economic, and sociotechnical trends and dynamics that promote (enablers) and jeopardize (barriers) the implementation of renewable energy policies in Kenya.
2. Present preliminary evidence on renewable electricity auctioning that consequently informs policy recommendations for the effective development and implementation of Kenya’s renewable auction policy.
3. Participants validate the study results and further co-develop future scenarios for transition to sustainable energy drawing on lessons from the FiT and renewable energy auction policies.

Expected outcome

Inputs received during the workshop will be incorporated into the final project report highlighting key plausible policy recommendations to enrich Kenya’s renewable energy transition agenda. The final recommendations will be packaged into a policy brief and a journal article for wider dissemination of study results.