Kenya will ramp-up its efforts on the production of renewable energies according to the country’s principal secretary for energy and petroleum, Joseph Njoroge.
The government’s medium-term plan under the 5,000-MW program is to develop 810 MW of geothermal energy by 2016 from the Menengai (460 MW), Bogoria-Silai (200 MW) and Suswa geothermal fields (150 MW) in northwest Kenya.
Njoroge said an increase in growth in the industrial sector will require developing countries to increase power generation at all levels with a focus on exploitation of green energy sources.
“Kenya has had favorable policy and regulatory frameworks, which have been regularly reviewed to facilitate development of energy services,” Njoroge told Global Geothermal Alliance stakeholders meeting in Nairobi.
Tariff policies were reviewed in 2012 to facilitate generation of electricity for feeding to the grid from renewable energy sources.
"A number of regulations have also been gazetted and others under formulation which include solar PV, solar water heaters, energy management and standards and labels," Njoroge said. As the industry grows Kenya will continue to establish favorable policies and regulations to ensure a “vibrant energy market.”
"Currently the policy and the law are under review to align them with the Vision 2030, the new constitution and the global trends," he added.