Kenya electricity imports rose by 79.4pc from 419.13 gigawatt hours to 751.95 gigawatt hours in six months of the year to December 2024.
Data by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) shows that the additional imports covered the increase in electricity demand during the period and a decline in geothermal power generation during the period.
“Electricity imports accounted for 10.41pc of total consumption in the current period, up from 6.16pc in the previous financial year. This increase is primarily due to the full commercial operation of electricity imports from Ethiopia. Additionally, on 13th December 2024, energy exchange with Tanzania commenced, marking an important milestone in enhancing regional interconnectivity within the East African Community (EAC),” said Kiptoo Bargoria, EPRA Director General.
EPRA expects additional electricity imports from Tanzania to be facilitated by the Isinya-Arusha-Singida 400kV line which was commissioned in December last as full commercial operation of the line under the exchange agreement is yet to begin.
EPRA also noted a decline in geothermal generation during period which has been attributed to the shutdown of the 45MW Olkaria I power plant to allow for rehabilitation of the facility and an increase in electricity imports from Ethiopia.
The half-year Biannual Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report for FY2024/2025 shows a surge in electricity consumption during the period.
“As economic activities expanded, energy utilization across the country saw a notable increase compared to a similar period in the previous financial year, with half-year consumption reaching 7,222.37 GWh. Peak demand remained above 2,200 MW, hitting a high of 2,288.35 MW on 29th October 2024.
In the six month period to December, total installed capacity stood at 3,811.6MW out of which geothermal power accounted for 26.13pc, hydro 24.16pc and thermal power 17.36%pc.
Captive power capacity, which mainly comprises biomass, solar and hydro, stood at 574.6MW accounting for 15.04pc of the country’s total installed capacity.
