- The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is set to start inspecting energy generation facilities in the country.
- According to EPRA Director-General Daniel Kiptoo, the authority’s new role was a huge milestone, since it aligned with EPRA’s mandate of full realisation of renewable and sustainable energy by 2030.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is set to start inspecting energy generation facilities in the country after it was given authority by the International Tracking Standard Foundation (I-TRACK Foundation).
Through a statement released on December 16, 2024, EPRA announced the I-TRACK Foundation had handed the authority a new role as the official local issuer of the International Renewable Energy Certificates I-REC(E).
This move effectively gives EPRA the mandate of inspecting energy generation facilities across Kenya to verify that the electricity generated is from renewable sources.
According to EPRA Director-General Daniel Kiptoo, the authority’s new role was a huge milestone, since it aligned with EPRA’s mandate of full realisation of renewable and sustainable energy by 2030.
“Kenya is on the cusp of achieving 100 per cent renewable energy electricity generation, which currently stands at 80.04 per cent contribution to the energy mix,” he noted.
“We have remained steadfast in harnessing energy from renewable energy sources. Geothermal energy stands at 26.37 per cent, interconnected solar PV systems (12.38%) and wind energy contributed 12.19 per cent. The trajectory towards renewable energy is expected to persist as more power projects are completed and connected to the grid from geothermal sources.”
Notably, a company with an I-REC(E) certificate will have an edge as it is likely to receive favourable investor attention since its operations are deemed eco-friendly in line with ESG.
The decision to give EPRA a new mandate followed a rigorous on the authority’s expert capabilities by the I-REC team. In its new role, EPRA effectively replaces the Green Certificate Company (GCC) as the official inspector of energy-generation facilities across Kenya.
In recent times, EPRA has upped its reputation as a reliable authority in promoting green energy. Earlier in November, the energy regulator announced plans to help mitigate energy wastage by reviewing two key regulations after noting that various fields of production in the economic sector were still struggling with energy efficiency, mainly because energy efficiency opportunities remain untapped in the country.
As per EPRA’s report, the authority revealed plans to review the Energy (Energy Management) Regulations, 2012, which requires facilities consuming more than 180,000 kWh of energy to conduct energy audits at least once every three years and implement the identified energy-saving measures, among other obligations.
The Energy (Appliances’ Energy Performance and Labelling) Regulations 2016 which enabled EPRA to establish minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for appliances, is also set to be reviewed.
Meanwhile, top management at EPRA is also set for a shake-up following a motion tabled by Laikipia Woman Representative Jane Kagiri proposed an amendment to the Energy Act, 2019.