Kenya has hit 1000 megawatts from the generation of power from geothermal plants making the country a leader in geothermal power production in Africa and ranked the 7th globally, Energy Principal Secretary (PS) Mr. Alex Kamau has said. Mr. Kamau said, Kenya has a huge potential to expand geothermal, hydro, solar and wind energy as well as well as explore nuclear energy and emerging technologies such as e-mobility and energy storage for energy sufficiency and sustainability.
Addressing Chief Executive Officers and Chairmen of State Corporations and all public officers during a consultative virtual meeting between the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Mr. Felix Koske and the State Department of Energy Staff, Mr. Wachira said, the government was banking on regional power trade and private sector participation to be key drivers in growth of investment and production in the energy sector.
The government, he explained, is addressing challenges of rising demand in electricity that he observed exerted pressure on reserve margin yet transmission and distribution infrastructure remain persistent. The Principal Secretary observed that, although renewable energy was being integrated into the grid, the move presented technical challenges that affect reliability of supply, experience financial constraints and land related issues that affect project implementation and grid expansion plan The PS noted that while electricity access has significantly improved, the adoption of clean cooking solution remain low, a situation he observed require targeted intervention.
To resolve the challenges faced in the energy sector, Mr. Wachira said efforts will be directed towards strengthening governance, resource mobilization, capacity building and addressing cross cutting issue to facilitate service delivery. The Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Mr.
Felix Koske, said the sector requires technical excellence and resilience, fast response and coordination across multiple institutions to meet the expectations of citizens. Mr. Koske said lauded the State Department staff for progress made in expanding access to power, development of vibrant infrastructure that has positioned the country as a leader in energy noting that the achievement was built on the expertise and dedicated efforts of the public officers.
The Head of Public Service noted that the sector is a key abler of economic transformation that drive industrial growth, support enterprises and improve the quality of lives for all Kenyans. He said the energy sector projects and programs must be aligned to the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and national priorities.
He therefore emphasized on the need to deliver energy that is not only sufficient, but also affordable, reliable and sustainable. He said it is important to focus on reducing cost of power to households and businesses, the need to expand access in under deserved areas and ensuring that energy supply supports, key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, health and digital innovation.