- Data from Kenya Power shows Imports from Ethiopia Electric Power beat supply from thermal generators.
- Ethiopia is one of only two countries from which Kenya imports electricity.
Data from Kenya shows imports from Ethiopia Electric Power beat supply from thermal generators and solar to emerge as the fourth largest source of power supply. Ethiopia now supplies 11 per cent of the electricity consumed by Kenyans daily, growing the Horn of Africa country’s stake in local power supply.
Geothermal retained its lead as the top source of electricity fed to the national grid with a share of 40 per cent, followed by hydro, which contributed 24 per cent. Wind contributed 17 per cent, while thermal and solar contributed the least at five per cent and three per cent, respectively.
“Thermal power dispatched has averaged five to eight per cent of the total with improved hydrology,” said Kenya Power Managing Director Joseph Siror.
Ethiopia is one of only two countries from which Kenya imports electricity. The other is Uganda, which has been exchanging electricity with Kenya for decades to address generation deficits on either side of the border.
Kenya and Ethiopia signed a purchase agreement in July 2022 for $0.065 (Ksh10.20) per unit, which is much cheaper than power from independent power producers (IPPs). The country began to import 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Ethiopia in January last year.