NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s fast-growing solar energy sector will be in sharp focus next month when industry players converge in Nairobi for the Intersolar Conference Africa 2026, scheduled for February 3–4 at the Sarit Expo Centre.
Organisers say the event comes at a critical moment, as high electricity costs and frequent power outages push more businesses to adopt commercial and industrial solar systems, alongside energy storage solutions.
Why Solar Is Gaining Ground in Kenya
Kenya’s energy landscape is shifting rapidly. Captive power generation — where businesses generate their own electricity — now accounts for about 20pc of the country’s total power supply, underlining the growing reliance on off-grid and hybrid solutions.
Rising demand, grid instability and declining solar technology costs have made solar power increasingly attractive, particularly for factories, malls, hospitals and data centres seeking predictable energy supply.
The Nairobi conference is expected to bring together developers, investors, financiers and policymakers to explore how Kenya can close financing gaps and scale solar adoption across sectors.
Energy Storage Emerges as a Key Priority
Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi, Georg Pflomm, Project Manager for Energy at AHK Eastern Africa, said energy storage will play a central role in stabilising power supply.
“Energy storage is critical for reducing dependence on diesel generators and managing persistent outages,” Pflomm said, noting that batteries are increasingly becoming essential companions to solar installations.
Despite Africa hosting nearly 60pc of the world’s strongest solar resources, the continent attracts only about 5pc of global energy investment, a gap organisers say continues to slow deployment.
East Africa’s Clean Energy Moment
East Africa is now positioning itself as one of Africa’s fastest-growing clean energy markets, driven by population growth, industrialisation and the urgent need for reliable power.
Organisers of Intersolar Africa 2026 say strong growth is expected in areas such as battery manufacturing, grid-scale storage and hybrid energy systems, as countries seek to boost renewable energy penetration while improving grid reliability.
