Kenya

The local authority is seeking proposals to build mini-grids with generation capacities of more than 5 kW to power hospitals, markets, water pumping and street lighting. The council has expressed a strong preference for the build, operate and transfer project development model.

The European Investment Bank and the Netherlands Development Finance Company have each provided €53 million for the Radiant and Eldosol solar projects.

South Africa-based Sun Exchange and U.S. minigrid developer, Powerhive have come together to step up minigrid deployment in rural Kenya by leveraging the crypto economy. The partnership is expected to catalyze up to $23 million of capital and fund around 150 new projects in the country’s power hungry areas.

Kenyatta University of Nairobi, has launched a Sh59 million (US$571,700) “Centre of Excellence” focused on the generation of solar energy in Kenya.

Research from the Overseas Development Institute estimates that children in developing world can gain 15 minutes extra study time a day if their homes switch from fossil fuel to solar, while households can enjoy savings of $10 per month.

The Kenyan energy regulator has commissioned a study to assess the current status and potential of the country’s solar sector.

Report by TFE Consulting shows how investment in micro-grid businesses and technology is bridging the informational, operational and psychological gap between the end customer and micro-grid developers and investors.

The funds will be used to bring solar power solutions to the country’s under served northeastern counties.

Kenya signed this month PPAs for 160 MW of new solar PV plants at a price of US$0.12 per kWh. The price has sparked controversy.

Kenya is currently generating less than 1% of its electricity from solar PV installations, but this is going to change soon.