Kenya is strengthening its long-term energy planning as the country seeks to meet rising electricity demand while maintaining energy security, affordability, and sustainability.
During the discussion with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to examine the Climate, Land-use, Energy and Water Systems (CLEWS), EPRA said the government is pursuing a broader energy mix, including reliable low-carbon technologies such as nuclear power, as part of its long-term strategy.
According to the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Energy, Alex Wachira, the country’s Integrated National Energy Plan (INEP), requires policymakers to look beyond immediate energy requirements and assess how different energy choices will perform over the long term.
“The Integrated National Energy Plan (INEP) requires decisions to look beyond immediate needs and consider how different energy choices will perform over the long term,” said Wachira.
He said the Nairobi meeting provides an opportunity to examine how factors, including energy demand, climate change, water availability, land use, technology, and costs, interact in shaping the country’s future energy system.
Wachira said such integrated planning would help ensure that decisions being made today contribute to a secure and sustainable energy system in the future.
EPRA Acting Director General Dr Joseph Oketch said Kenya had established a strong foundation in renewable energy but needed to continue expanding its energy mix while adopting a multi-sector approach to energy planning.
“Kenya has built a strong foundation in renewable energy, particularly geothermal, hydro, wind and solar power, and there is a need to expand this energy mix to include emerging energy sources, while working with multiple sectors,” he noted.
He noted that the Energy (Integrated National Energy Plan) Regulations, 2025, provides a framework through which the country can guide the development of emerging energy sources.
Oketch said EPRA was also focused on strengthening public participation and building the technical capacity required to support informed decisions on Kenya’s long-term energy needs.
