Renewable Energy Projects
The Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) is a project of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (MoEP) and is financed by the World Bank (WB). It aims at providing electricity and clean cooking solutions in the remote, low-density, and traditionally underserved areas of the country. The project is part of the government’s commitment to providing universal access to electricity in Kenya by 2030, universal access to modern energy services for cooking by 2028 as well as the impetus for growth in achieving Vision 2030. The project is implemented jointly by MoEP, Kenya Power (KP), and Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
The Project targets to reach approximately 277,000 households (1.5 million people), in the 14 Counties of West Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta and Narok. This will be achieved through the construction of 120 mini-grids and the sale of 250,000 standalone solar systems. In addition, 387 public facilities such as secondary schools, health facilities, and administrative offices will be electrified through solar power; while 380 existing community boreholes will be retrofitted with solar water pumps. The Project will also facilitate the sale of 60,000 clean cooking stoves in the 14 Counties.
The project realizes its mandate through 4 Components as follows;
| Components | Targets |
| Component 1: Mini-grids for Households and Public Facilities | 120 mini-grids to supply 54,589 households, 800 enterprises, and 180 public facilities (schools, health centers, and administration buildings) with electricity. 89 mini-grids to be constructed by KPLC and 31 by REREC. |
| Component 2 A: Standalone Solar Systems for Households | 250,000 stand-alone solar home systems to be sold in the 14 Counties through the Results Based Facility that provides incentives to Solar Companies to set up businesses in the 14 Counties. |
| Component 3B: Clean Cooking Solutions( CCS) for Households | 60,000 clean cooking solutions to be sold in all 14 Counties. The companies receive incentives through the CCS Results-Based Facility. |
| Component 3A; Stand-alone solar systems for community Facilities | 387 public facilities (schools, health centers, and administrative buildings) to be supplied with electricity. |
| Component 3B: Installation of Solar Water Pumps at Community Boreholes | 380 solar water pumps to be installed in the 14 Counties. |
The following are the key environmental and social safeguards documents for the Project:
- KOSAP Resettlement Policy
- KOSAP Social Assessment Report
- KOSAP Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups Framework
- KOSAP-Environmental and Social Framework -ESMF