NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s search for affordable energy has driven a significant increase in electricity imports from Ethiopia, with a staggering 88pc jump in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the country imported 672.26 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power from Ethiopia in the first six months of this year, up from 357.44 million kWh during the same period last year
The rise in imports is part of Kenya’s growing reliance on Ethiopia’s cheap hydropower, which has proven to be more cost-effective than domestic options.
The increase in monthly imports—from just 20 million kWh in 2023 to a whopping 122 million kWh per month in 2024—highlights the shift in the region’s power trade dynamics.
Kenya’s electricity grid is benefiting from the 500-kilovolt interconnector line recently built to facilitate cross-border power imports, an investment that underscores Kenya’s commitment to regional power integration.
While the country is diversifying its energy production, relying on geothermal, solar, and wind, the affordability of Ethiopian hydropower has made it an attractive option for meeting Kenya’s growing energy needs.
Interestingly, while Ethiopia has taken the lion’s share of Kenya’s power imports, Uganda’s contribution has declined. KNBS data shows that Kenya’s imports from Uganda fell to 106.07 million kWh in the first half of 2024, down from 141.23 million kWh in the same period in 2023.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority acknowledged that Ethiopia’s hydropower is now the main driver behind Kenya’s external electricity supply, allowing the country to meet rising demand while keeping energy costs in check.
This shift is part of a broader trend, where Kenya’s electricity consumption continues to climb, driven by a growing population of consumers, which has doubled in recent years to around 10 million.
Despite the increased imports, Kenya has not abandoned efforts to diversify its energy sources. With an installed capacity of 3,321 megawatts, the country is ramping up efforts to tap into geothermal, solar, and wind energy.
Still, Ethiopia’s hydropower remains a critical piece in the puzzle as Kenya seeks a balanced and cost-effective energy strategy.
