Off-Grid Solar Key To Kenya’s Electrification

Stand-alone solar systems, off-grid options and mini-grids have been given significance by the Kenyan government in its aim to provide electricity to all citizens by 2022. According to the Kenya National Electrification Strategy (KNES), launched in partnership with the World Bank, off-grid options complement grid extension and intensification.

KNES is meant to act as a roadmap of the Kenyan government’s efforts to provide electricity to everyone by 2022. The strategy highlights the role the private sector can play in providing off-grid solutions for Kenyan homes, businesses and community service centers in remote parts of the country.

Using geospatial technology, the country will develop a mechanism to provide objective planning data to assist national and county policy makers take informed decisions regarding grid and off grid investments required for electric service provision.

The Kenyan government also launched its Electricity Sector Investment Prospectus to cover opportunities in power generation, transmission, distribution, off-grid electrification, mini grids and solar systems for homes and institutions. This is aimed at helping investors and financiers identify suitable project opportunities.

“The World Bank is committed to helping Kenya extend modern, affordable, reliable and clean energy services to all its citizens,” said World Bank Country Director, Felipe Jaramillo. “Currently, the Bank is financing electrification under the ongoing Kenya Electricity Modernization Project (KEMP) and Kenya Off-grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) which targets to connect 235,000 and 1.3 million new beneficiaries, respectively.”

In 2017, the World Bank approved a $150 million credit to help people in Kenya’s off-grid areas access clean power through off-grid solar (see World Bank Approves $150 Million For Kenya).