Publication - The Role of Renewable Energy Mini-grids in Kenya’s Electricity Sector: Evidence of a cost-competitive option for rural electrification and sustainable development
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Title
The Role of Renewable Energy Mini-grids in Kenya’s Electricity Sector: Evidence of a cost-competitive option for rural electrification and sustainable development
Publisher
New Climate Institute under the Ambition to Action project
Author
Thomas Day, Marie-Jeanne Kurdziel & Murefu Barasa
Published in
November 2019
Abstract
Traditionally, the strategy of Kenya's government for increasing access to electricity has focused on national grid extension. Other available options, such as decentralised off-grid solutions in rural areas, are pursued with lower priority. With rapidly improving technologies, off-grid solutions are well placed to provide affordable electricity services at different scales, especially in rural areas, and to complement existing national grid infrastructure in order to meet growing energy demand.
This report synthesises available analyses on the role and potential of mini-grids in Kenya and explores how this technology can help the country attain its goal of universal electrification by 2022, and also contribute to the achievement of other related development objectives. The synthesis aims to provide policy makers with the required evidence and justification for elevating the position of off-grid solutions in electricity sector development and planning and the political agenda.
The report finds that in Kenya, between 660,000 and 2.1 million household connections will most cost-effectively be provided through mini-grids, representing 17-58% of the non-electrified households in rural areas. Based on this range, mini-grids in Kenya could supply between 180 and 570 GWh of electricity in 2030. If these 180-570 GWh were to replace coal-based generation, this could lead to fuel-cost savings of USD 5.5-17.3 million and to emission reductions of 0.14-0.48 MtCO2e per year. Furthermore, for every 1MW of mini-grid capacity developed, approximately 800 full-time-equivalent job-years could be created for Kenyan workers.URL
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