Providing Energy Access to Kenya rural population

As of 2020, the population of Kenya is estimated to be about 54 million. Access to electricity has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. As per census 2019, 50.4% of population use mains electricity of lighting, 24.5% use solar lights and systems while the remainder use paraffin and other means. In total Kenya has about 2800 MW power installed, some 80% from renewable sources like hydro, geo thermal, wind and solar. 

It is currently estimated that approximately three quarters of the population currently has access to electricity, exceeding the average rate of access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. The government has ambitious plans to deliver universal access by 2022. Power supply to all Kenyans, is regarded as one of the Vision 2030 ambitions (elevating Kenya to a Middle Income Country by 2030) and as part of the SE4ALL agenda, which aims at the generation of some 30,000 MW and some 60 million connections worldwide.

The  Green Mini Grid Facility Kenya  (GMG Facility Kenya) promotes mini grid development in Kenya through the private sector. The programme started end of 2016 and it supports the National Electrification Strategy developed by the Government of Kenya. 

The GMG Facility Kenya enhances access to energy in Kenya by encouraging private investment in renewable energy based mini-grids, providing financial support in the form of grants to encourage private operators to build and operate mini-grids. At the same time, GMG Facility Kenya provides technical assistance to the mini-grid sector and to individual mini-grid developers with the aim of developing a sustainable mini-grid market.

The GMG Facility Kenya has actively supported the mini-grid developers through grants and technical assistance with the aim of extending access to electricity to rural communities across Kenya.

GMG phase 1 started end 2016 and is ending on 31 March 2021. It is funded by UK Aid (DFID/FCDO) to the amount of €10,4m (£9.1m) and this has been used for grants (48%) awarded to three developers (Powerhive, PowerGen and RVE Sol), Technical Assistance (22%) to developers and to the sector and the balance for management fees between AFD and IED.

GMG2 started in June 2018 and will end 31 December 2021. It is funded by the EU Africa Investment Trust Fund (EU AITF) for the amount of €5.65m out of which about 70% is allocated for grants for two developers (Kudura and Renewvia). Implementation is ongoing and planned to be completed by Sept 2021.