The role of geothermal energy in Kenya’s long-term development vision

In Kenya, the rate of electrification is around 16%, among the lowest rates in sub-Saharan Africa. The state-owned Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited (KenGen) is the major energy utility and produces 80% of the electricity used in the country. Its 14 hydroelectric power stations account for almost half of the national electricity supply. Heavy reliance on hydropower has, however, made Kenya’s power supply susceptible to variations in rainfall. With droughts becoming more frequent, water and power shortages are affecting all sectors of the economy. For example, the drought that occurred between 1999 and 2002 had a drastic impact on the hydropower plants and caused a 25% reduction in the amount of electricity generated in 2000 (Karekezi et al., 2009). The resultant cumulative economic loss was estimated to be about 1% to 1.5% of the total Gross Domestic Product, roughly US$442 million (Karekezi and Kithyoma, 2005).

Sustainable Development Goals:

Clean Water and Sanitation