A comprehensive review of energy scenario and sustainable energy in Kenya

Elsevier, Fuel Communications Volume 7, June 2021, 100015
Authors: 
Mohammed Takase, Rogers Kipkoech, Paul Kwame Essandoh

The review examined the potential of renewable and non-renewable energy resources and the current state of exploitation in Kenya. Energy demand is on the rise, coupled with the rapid increase in population. As a result, the state spends a large amount of money on the importation of oil. Oil and electricity are the primary determiners of the economy. The production mix include 52.1% of hydro, 32.5% of fossil fuels, 13.2% of geothermal energy, 1. 8% of biogas cogeneration, and 0.4% of wind. There is a projection of an increase in current energy demand from 600 MW to 2,600–3600 MW by 2020. The national energy review indicates that there is a significant reliance on wood for fuel and the other biomass accounting for 68% of overall energy usage. It's used especially among the rural areas, urban, and informal market which has considerably affected its supply and demand. Consequently, there is the destruction of most of the vegetation and the forests and existing ones are on the verge of diminishing. The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum manages its overall strategy and provides advice on the production and growth of energy sub-sector, including power, petroleum and renewable energy. The major problem in the energy sector is limitation in accessibility to the modern energy, high pressure on biomass supplies, rising energy prices, high demand for electricity than the ability to build new generation, inability of Kenyan Power and Lighting Company to link every consumer willing to purchase and consider cost of rural electrification by grid development due to dispersion.