An expert elicitation of public acceptance of renewable energy in Kenya

This article presents evidence that there is substantial public support for the large-scale deployment of three renewable energy options in Kenya – wind, solar photovoltaic and geothermal ­– from a quantitative public acceptance study. With these renewable technologies, the government of Kenya could make a large contribution to reaching its national commitment under the Paris Agreement.

The study finds that price and infrastructure and land-use requirements all contribute to shaping public opinion about these renewable energy alternatives, but in different ways.

Despite the overall positive assessments, public authorities should be wary of the possible inconveniences and drawbacks associated with each of the three options, which could hinder their large-scale adoption. However, these issues can be anticipated and, sometimes, mitigated in national climate and energy development plans.

Further studies like the one presented here, based on (semi-)expert elicitation and information-choice questionnaires, could help Kenya to achieve its national climate and energy ambitions. More generally, stakeholder engagement and public survey analysis can benefit the establishment of affordable, clean and secure energy systems, helping to mitigate climate change – in developing and developed countries.