Policies for enhanced transition to sustainable energy systems in Kenya

Overview and objectives

Although over 80% of Kenya’s power in 2021 was generated from renewables, including a combination of geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar, efforts by the Kenyan government to support a rapid expansion of renewable electricity have had mixed results. A feed-in tariff policy was introduced in 2008 and has been revised several times since that date. The policy sets fixed price tariffs for a range of renewable energy technologies. However, only a small renewables capacity has been successfully deployed with support from the feed-in tariff policy.

The overall aim of this project is to build evidence on systemic factors leading to failures and successes of policy development and implementation towards a sustainable energy transition. Specific objectives to achieve this goal are fivefold:

1. To analyse the institutional, political, economic, and sociotechnical trends and dynamics that promote (Enablers) and jeopardize (Barriers) the implementation of renewable electricity policies in Kenya
2. To provide a comprehensive assessment of the successes and failures of Kenya’s renewable electricity deployment policies to deepen further our understanding of the political economy of Kenya’s renewable energy subsector.
3. To generate practical evidence through case studies of renewable electricity auctioning, building evidence for policy recommendations for Kenya’s renewable auction policy
4. To propose key recommendations for the effective development and implementation of renewable energy policies for maximum benefits with a focus on renewable electricity auctioning
5. Engage stakeholders, through a transdisciplinary approach, co-develop future scenarios for transition to sustainable energy, and disseminate findings through participatory workshops and stakeholder networks.

Expected Results

1. Evidence on the Institutional, political, economic, and sociotechnical opportunities and barriers for renewable electricity deployment in Kenya
2. Evidence of the successes or failures of implementing renewable energy auctions in Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, and Ghana.
3. Recommendations on the implementation of renewable electricity auctions in Kenya

Partners and Funders

1. The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTs)

The project is funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).