Renewable Energy

The Directorate of Renewable Energy is a technical arm within Kenya's State Department for Energy, tasked with promoting the development and utilization of renewable energy technologies. It is led by the Secretary of Renewable Energy.

The Directorate focuses on various renewable energy sources, including biomass (such as biodiesel, bio-ethanol, charcoal, and fuel wood), solar, wind, tidal waves, small hydropower, biogas, and municipal waste. Its primary objectives are to formulate a national strategy for coordinating research in renewable energy and to promote the development and use of these energy technologies.

Directorate of Renewable Energy Structure

The Directorate is structured into multiple departments and is headed by the Secretary of Renewable Energy. 

Divisions under the Directorate:

• Solar & Wind Energy Development

• Small Hydro Power Development

• Electricity Cogeneration

• Urban Solid and Liquid Waste Development

• Bioenergy (Wood Fuels, Liquid Biofuels, Biogas & Municipal Liquid Waste)

• Energy Efficiency & Conservation

• Development and review of policies, strategies and guidelines for renewable energy efficiency and conservation;
• Promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation technologies;
• Coordination of research in renewable energy and energy efficiency;
• Provision of an enabling framework for the efficient and sustainable production, distribution and marketing of Alternative Energy and Bioenergy Technologies;
• Promotion of development of appropriate local capacity for the manufacture, installation, maintenance and operation of renewable technologies;
• Establishment of linkages with international partners on programmes focusing on renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies;
• Harness opportunities offered under climate change programmes and projects to promote the development and exploitation of renewable energy, and energy efficiency and conservation;
• Monitor and evaluation renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation projects;
• Collaborate with international, regional and local stakeholders in the harmonization of renewable energy policies and standards;
• Promote off-grid and decentralized electrical systems and hybrids for electricity access;
• Feed-in-tariff policy development, promotion and review;
• Initiate the development of performance standards and labels for energy efficient equipment and appliance;
• Promotion of Private Sector participation in the development of renewable energy initiatives;
• Administration of the Kenya Energy Sector Environment and Social Responsibility Program (KEEP) Fund.

Major Renewable Energy Projects

Lake Turkana Wind Power Project: Africa’s largest wind farm, providing 310 MW to the national grid.

Garissa Solar Project: A 55 MWp solar power plant, one of the largest in East and Central Africa.

Geothermal Energy Expansion: Kenya leads in geothermal power production in Africa, accounting for over 50% of the country’s electricity mix.

Small Hydro Power Development: Development of a National Small Hydro Atlas and support for community hydro projects. The estimated hydro potential is 3,000 MW, and 260 potential sites have been identified.

Wind Resource Assessment: Installation of 118 wind masts and data loggers to aid in wind farm planning.

Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP): Electrification of 14 underserved counties through solar mini-grids and clean cooking solutions.

Sustainable Energy Technical Assistance (SETA) project: The aim was to build National and County capacity to plan for energy development. Integrated National Energy Plans (INEP) for select Counties were developed.

The Directorate of Renewable Energy plays a critical role in Kenya’s transition towards sustainable energy. With significant milestones achieved in solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, and efficiency programs, Kenya is positioned as a regional leader in renewable energy. The government’s future plans focus on expanding energy access, improving efficiency, and promoting green hydrogen and waste-to-energy solutions. By implementing these initiatives, Kenya aims to achieve universal access to clean and affordable energy by 2030 in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7.