Kenya’s push for regional energy integration has gained momentum, with electricity imports rising by 79.4 percent in the six months leading to December 2024, driven by new power exchange agreements with Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) reveals that electricity imports increased from 419.13 gigawatt hours to 751.95 gigawatt hours, accounting for 10.41 percent of total consumption, up from 6.16 percent in the previous financial year. The surge in imports is largely attributed to the full commercial operation of power purchases from Ethiopia and the commencement of an energy exchange program with Tanzania on December 13, 2024.
“Additionally, on 13th December 2024, energy exchange with Tanzania commenced, marking an important milestone in enhancing regional interconnectivity within the East African Community (EAC),” said Kiptoo Bargoria, EPRA Director General.
The regulator anticipates further imports from Tanzania once the Isinya-Arusha-Singida 400kV transmission line, commissioned in December, begins full-scale operations. This development is expected to enhance power stability and support growing demand, which peaked at 2,288.35 MW on October 29, 2024.
Meanwhile, geothermal power generation saw a decline during the period due to the temporary shutdown of the 45MW Olkaria I power plant for rehabilitation. Despite this, total installed capacity reached 3,811.6MW, with geothermal contributing 26.13 percent, hydro 24.16 percent, and thermal power 17.36 percent.
Captive power sources including biomass, solar, and hydro accounted for 574.6MW, or 15.04 percent of the total installed capacity.
As Kenya deepens its regional energy partnerships, cross-border power trade is set to play a key role in meeting growing electricity demand and ensuring supply stability.
