Energy in Kenya explained

This article describes energy and electricity production, consumption, import and export in Kenya. Kenya's current effective installed (grid connected) electricity capacity is 2,651 megawatts (MW), with peak demand of 1,912 MW, as of November 2019.[1] At that time, demand was rising at a calculated rate of 3.6 percent annually, given that peak demand was 1,770 MW, at the beginning of 2018.[1] Electricity supply is mostly generated by renewable sources with the majority coming from geothermal power and hydroelectricity.[2]

Until recently the country lacked significant domestic reserves of fossil fuel. The country has over the years had to import substantial amounts of crude oil and natural gas. This might change with the discovery of oil reserves in Kenya, which relied on oil imports to meet about 42 percent of its energy needs in 2010. As of the end of 2021, 76.5% of Kenyans were connected to the National grid, which is one of the highest connection rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.[3] Per capita consumption in domestic households however, remains low.[1]

Electricity

Sources of electricity

Capacity (GWh) Generation %
Geothermal 5037 40.7%
Hydro 3675 29.7%
Wind 1984 16%
Oil 126210.2%
Biofuels2502%
Solar167 1.3%
Total12375100%

Renewable energy

See main article: Renewable energy in Kenya, Geothermal power in Kenya and Wind power in Kenya. Kenya is currently the largest producer of geothermal energy in Africa. It is one of two countries in Africa that produce geothermal energy, the other being Ethiopia. In 2010, geothermal energy accounted for almost 20 percent of Kenya's total electricity generation. The country has the potential to produce 10,000 megawatts of geothermal-powered electricity, according to Kenya's state-owned Geothermal Development Company.[4] Total renewable energy capacity is at 60%, with most coming from hydropower.[5] In July 2019, Kenya opened Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) which is the largest wind power plant in Africa. This project is part of the country's ambitious plan of reaching 100% green energy by 2020.[6]

Utilities

The bulk of electricity is transmitted by Kenya Electricity Transmission Company.

In Kenya, there are plans by the government of Kenya, to end the monopoly of the electricity distribution market; but until that happens, power distribution is only held by one company; Kenya Power and Lighting Company (Kenya Power).[7]

However, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), is responsible for generating approximately 90% of installed capacity. Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are responsible for about 10% of installed capacity. The following IPPs are active in Kenya: (a) Westmont (b) AEP Energy Africa (Iberafrica)[8] (c) OrPower4 Kenya Limited (a subsidiary of Ormat Technologies) (d) Tsavo Power Company (e) Aggreko(f) Africa Geothermal International[9]

Consumption

The biggest consumer of electricity in Kenya is Kenya Pipeline Company, followed by Bamburi Cement.[10] As of July 2018, of the 6.5 million Kenya Power's customers, 5 percent or 348,459, were commercial customers (including businesses and factories). Of these, the largest 6,000, were responsible for 60 percent of the national power consumption, averaging in excess of 15,000 electricity units per month.[1] Peak consumption around 1,830 MW often occurs 1940hrs while baseload (minimum demand) of about 900MW happens at 3:30 am.[11] Average electricity consumption per citizen is 167 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year.[12] From November 2018, households and businesses consuming less than 100 kWh/month pay a subsidized rate of KSh.10/= per kWh.[13]

Future

Sources of electricity

One estimate of projected electricity supply and demand as follows:[1]

DemandCapacity
20131,191 MW 1,600 MW
20181,802 2,351 MW
203015,000 MW 19,201 MW

Projected generation mix according to nuclear agency

OBS: Not official plan

Rural electrification

Karanja describes the role that a coordinated approach to rural electrification can play.[14] Numerical electricity system modeling combined with geographical information can provide useful inputs.

Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP)

See main article: Eastern Africa Power Pool.

Seven countries came together because they saw mutual benefit in having one power pool. The original countries were[15] (a) Burundi (b) Democratic Republic of the Congo (c) Egypt (d) Ethiopia (e) Kenya (f) Rwanda and (g) Sudan.[15]

Later, more countries joined the pool:[16] (a) Tanzania (b) Libya (c) Djibouti and (d) Uganda.[16]

The objective of the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) is to increase the volume and reduce the cost of electricity supply in Kenya; and to provide revenues to Ethiopia through the export of electricity from Ethiopia to Kenya.[16] The process of connecting the Ethiopian grid to the Kenyan grid is underway via the Sodo–Moyale–Suswa High Voltage Power Line.[17]

Kenya also plans to be connected to the South African grid, through Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. That process is also underway as of July 2018, via the Isinya–Singida High Voltage Power Line.[18] [19]

Geothermal power

See main article: Geothermal power in Kenya. Geothermal power plants, which convert steam generated from hot rocks deep underground into electricity, have a prominent place in Kenya's overarching development plans. These include the Vision 2030, the NCCAP, and the current ‘5000+ MW in 40 months initiative’. Geothermal power has the potential to provide reliable, cost-competitive, baseload power with a small carbon footprint, and reduces vulnerability to climate by diversifying power supply away from hydropower, which currently provides the majority of Kenya's electricity. Kenya has set out ambitious targets for geothermal energy. It aims to expand its geothermal power production capacity to 5,000 MW by 2030, with a medium-term target of installing 1887 MW by 2017. As of October 2014, Kenya has an installed geothermal capacity of approximately 340 MW. Although there is significant political will and ambition, reaching these ambitions is a major challenge.[20] Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and Geothermal Development Company aim at raising the country's geothermal output from the current 593 MW, to 1 GW by the year 2018[21] and 5 GW to the grid by 2030.[22]

Nuclear power

See main article: Nuclear energy in Kenya. In 2017, the Kenya Nuclear Electrification Board (Kneb) estimated that a 1,000 MW nuclear plant could be operational by 2027 and cost KSh.500 – 600 billion/= (US$5 – 6 billion)[23] located at either the Indian Ocean, Lake Victoria or Lake Turkana.[24]

In September 2010 former Energy and Petroleum Ministry PS Patrick Nyoike[25] announced, that Kenya aimed to build a 1,000 MW Nuclear power plant between 2017 and 2022.[26] For Kenya to achieve middle-income status, Nyoike viewed nuclear energy as the best way to produce safe, clean, reliable and base load (constant supply) electricity. The projected cost using South Korean technology was US$3.5 billion.[27]

Petroleum

Consumption

In 2017, Kenya consumed 2480ML, of diesel fuel. The same year, the country used 1672.8ML, of refined petrol.[28] The monthly figures are 213 million litres of diesel, 150 million litres petrol, and 39 million litres kerosene.[29]

Imports

In 2011, Kenya imported about per day of crude oil entirely from the United Arab Emirates, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Kenya imported per day of refined oil products in 2011, according to KNBS. Kenya has a product pipeline system that transports petroleum products from Mombasa to inland areas.[30] [29]

Kenya had one of the largest crude oil refineries in East Africa, the per day Mombasa refinery. The refinery typically operated below capacity and processed Murban heavy crude from Abu Dhabi and other heavy Middle-Eastern crude grades. The refinery was shut down in February 2016.[31]

Reserves

In 2012 oil was discovered in Kenya. As of May 2016, proven reserves were estimated at 766 million barrels. This puts Kenya ahead of Uzbekistan in the global rankings. Tullow Oil, one of the companies prospecting for oil in the country, is of the opinion that the national reserves are in excess of 1 billion barrels.[32]

Production

After the collapse of negotiations to build the Uganda-Kenya Crude Oil Pipeline, Kenya began to make plans to build the Kenya Crude Oil Pipeline (costing $1.1 billion or KSh.110 billion/=) on its own,[33] [34] expected in 2022. Turkana oil is expected to be produced at per day, so Kenya expects not to build an oil refinery, as that would require per day to operate commercially.[35]

Challenges

Fuelwood demand in the country is 3.5 million tonnes per year while its supply is 1.5 million tonnes per year. The massive deficit in fuelwood supply has led to high rates of deforestation in both exotic and indigenous vegetation resulting in adverse environmental effects such as desertification, land degradation, droughts and famine.[36]

Carbon emissions

Kenya emits .03 percent of the world carbon dioxide, which is about 12.62 (Million Metric Tons of CO₂).[37]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Electricity demand crosses 1,800 MW mark . 3 July 2018 . Neville . Otuki . . 3 July 2018 . Nairobi.
  2. Web site: GENI . National Energy Grid Kenya . Global Energy Network Institute (GENI) . San Diego . 20 June 2016 . 3 July 2018.
  3. Web site: Access to electricity (% of population) - Kenya . 5 May 2024 . 5 May 2024 . The World Bank Group. World Bank Group . Washington, DC.
  4. Web site: Kenya's Key Energy Statistics . Eia.gov . 30 May 2013 . 3 July 2018 . U.S. Energy Information Administration . Washington, DC.
  5. Web site: 18 June 2012 . Kenya's Energy Demand and the role of Nuclear energy in future energy generation mix . https://web.archive.org/web/20130613001823/http://www.iaea.org/nuclearenergy/nuclearknowledge/schools/NEM-school/2012/Japan/PDFs/week2/CR6_Kenya.pdf . dead . 13 June 2013 . Archived from the Original . 4 July 2018 . International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) . Catherine Kathambi Kianji . Vienna.
  6. Web site: Kenya launches largest wind power plant in Africa. CNN. 20 July 2019 . 29 July 2019.
  7. News: House seeks to end Kenya Power's monopoly . 10 July 2013 . 4 July 2018 . Edwin . Mutai . . Nairobi.
  8. Web site: SA firm buys out Moi-era power producer Iberafrica . 29 June 2018 . 4 July 2018 . . Geoffrey . Irungu . Nairobi.
  9. Web site: US-based firm joins steam power production in Kenya . 8 April 2013. 4 July 2018 . . David . Herbling . Nairobi.
  10. Web site: Why Bamburi cement put off mega plans for alternative solar energy . 4 July 2018 . 18 December 2017 . Kajilwa . Graham . . Nairobi.
  11. Web site: Power consumption highest 8.30pm daily in Kenya, lowest 3.30am – Kenya Power . Energy Siren . 9 October 2018 . 16 March 2019 .
  12. Web site: Ethiopia races ahead of Kenya, Tanzania in power use growth – World Bank . Energy Siren . 4 September 2018 . 16 March 2019 .
  13. Web site: Electricity tariffs for 5.7 million homes drop by up to 37 per cent . Energy Siren . 31 October 2018 . 16 March 2019 .
  14. Karanja . Tabitha N . Identification and evaluation of cost optimal technology options for improvement of electricity access in rural Kenya . 30 December 2019 . Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems . 7 . 4 . 678–701 . 10.13044/j.sdewes.d7.0276 . 2021-04-26. free .
  15. Web site: Washington, DC . World Bank. Projects: The Eastern Electricity Highway Project under the First Phase of the Eastern Africa Power Integration Program . World Bank.
  16. Web site: About The Eastern Africa Power Pool . 4 July 2018 . 2016 . The Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) . EAPP . Addis Ababa.
  17. Web site: Power line to reduce costs by seven shillings . 2 August 2017 . 4 July 2018 . . Abel . Muhaita . Nairobi.
  18. Web site: Kenya to link to Southern African power grid by 2015 . 11 August 2012 . 4 July 2018 . Nairobi . . Staff Reporter.
  19. Web site: 4 July 2018 . Multinational Kenya–Tanzania Power Interconnection Project: Country : Kenya and Tanzania: Project Number : P-Z1- FA0-052 . July 2014 . . Asfaw S . Kulemeka N. etal. Abidjan.
  20. News: INSIDE STORY: Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) to accelerate geothermal power: Lessons from Kenya – Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. 23 August 2017. en-US.
  21. News: Kenya in cheaper geothermal option. The East African. 23 August 2017. en-UK.
  22. Web site: Organised by . Kenya targets 5,000 MW of geothermal power by 2030 . African-utility-week.com . 4 August 2013 . https://archive.today/20130804105313/http://www.african-utility-week.com/Pages/Detail/6359 . 4 August 2013 . dead .
  23. Web site: Kenya plans nuclear plant by 2027. The East African. 26 December 2017. en-UK. 5 December 2017.
  24. Web site: Chinese firm to pick nuclear power plant site . Daily Nation . en . 17 July 2019.
  25. Web site: Office of public communications:Partick Nyoike . 16 September 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100921165128/http://communication.go.ke/ministry.asp?personid=77 . 21 September 2010 .
  26. News: Kenya to commission first nuclear plant in 2022. 6 August 2013. archive.is . 23 August 2017. dead. https://archive.today/20130806030856/http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/business-news/81424-kenya-to-commission-first-nuclear-plant-in-2022- . 6 August 2013.
  27. Web site: Kenya Aims to Build a Nuclear Power Plant by 2017 . 20 September 2010. . 5 June 2011.
  28. Web site: 9 October 2017 . 4 July 2018 . Diesel consumption drops for first time in 7 years . . Neville . Otuki . Nairobi.
  29. Web site: Kenya's fuel flow chain – how does it get to petrol stations? . Energy Siren . 15 October 2018 . 16 March 2019 . From the storage tanks in Mombasa, petrol, diesel and kerosene are pushed through the pipeline to various distribution depots stationed at strategic locations across the country. .
  30. News: Kenya Pipeline signs financing for Sh35 billion Mombasa-Nairobi Line . 15 July 2015 . 4 July 2018 . Nairobi . . Capital News.
  31. Web site: Refinery plant to be used a storage facility . 21 February 2016 . 4 July 2018 . Immaculate . Karambu . . Nairobi.
  32. Web site: Kenya may have a lot more oil than it previously thought . Lily Kuo . 11 May 2016 . . New York City . 4 July 2018.
  33. News: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) . Uganda picks Tanzania for oil pipeline, drops Kenya plan . 4 July 2018 . 23 April 2016 . BBC News.
  34. News: George . Fast track Turkana-Lamu pipeline to beat Uganda to global oil markets . 4 July 2018 . 26 April 2016 . Wachira. . Nairobi.
  35. Web site: Siren . The Energy . Kenya rules out refinery option for Turkana oil . Energy Siren . 16 March 2019 . 19 February 2019.
  36. Web site: Corrupt officials to blame for loss of Kenya's forest cover: government report . https://web.archive.org/web/20180503203746/https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN1I41C7-OZATP . dead . 3 May 2018 . 4 July 2018 . 3 May 2018 . Reuters Africa . John . Ndiso . Johannesburg.
  37. Web site: Kenya gets Funding for Africa's Largest Wind Farm | Informed Comment . Juancole.com . 16 May 2013.