When the sun sets over Kenya’s Rift Valley, steam billows from the Olkaria geothermal fields, a reminder that beneath this land lies one of Africa’s most powerful energy resources. Today, Kenya generates nearly 90 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, making it not only a continental leader but also a global trailblazer, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Geothermal: Heat Beneath Our Feet
Kenya’s clean energy story is built on geothermal power. From Olkaria to Menengai, underground steam drives turbines that light homes and factories across the country. With almost 1,000 megawatts of installed capacity, Kenya is now the sixth-largest geothermal producer in the world, as reported by Green Building Africa. This natural advantage has placed the country far ahead of most of its African peers, and it continues to expand.
Wind and Solar Rising
But the story doesn’t end with geothermal. In Marsabit County, the towering turbines of the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project churn the desert winds into 310 MW of electricity, powering nearly one million Kenyan homes (The Guardian). Meanwhile, the Garissa Solar Plant, one of the largest in East Africa, adds 55 MW to the national grid, while millions of rural families rely on off-grid solar home systems, often paid for through mobile money in small daily installments.
Policy, People, and Progress
Kenya’s progress didn’t happen by chance. Government planning under Vision 2030, coupled with tax incentives and international partnerships, has attracted over USD 6.6 billion in renewable energy investments between 2010 and 2021 (Reuters). Importantly, the country embraced decentralized mini-grids and solar systems, bringing power to off-grid communities much faster than traditional infrastructure would allow. According to the Rapid Transition Alliance, this hybrid model has been central to Kenya’s rural electrification success.
For many Kenyans, the results are life-changing. Farmers in Kitui use solar pumps to irrigate their crops. In Turkana, children do homework under bright LED bulbs powered by wind energy. In Nairobi, small businesses run on reliable electricity that is far cleaner than the diesel generators once common in the city.
Challenges Remain
Still, Kenya’s energy story is not without hurdles. Electricity remains costly averaging $0.22 per kilowatt-hour, higher than in many developing countries (IEA). The grid also suffers losses, with nearly a quarter of generated power lost through inefficiencies and illegal connections. And while geothermal is green, projects have sometimes raised tensions with indigenous communities in the Rift Valley, prompting calls for more inclusive development.
