Kenya’s Power Imports Surge As Regional Energy Partnerships Strengthen Grid Stability

Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority data show that Kenya is increasingly turning to imported electricity to meet rising demand. In the first half of the 2024–2025 financial year, the country’s power imports rose sharply to 751.95 gigawatt-hours (GWh), up from 419.13 GWh in the same period a year earlier. This jump means imported electricity now accounts for about 10.4% of Kenya’s total power supply, almost double its earlier share.

A major reason behind this increase is Kenya’s growing partnership with Ethiopia Electric Power Company. Since December 2023, Kenya has been receiving a steady supply of 200 megawatts of electricity from Ethiopia under a long-term agreement that will run for 25 years. This arrangement has made Ethiopia one of the largest suppliers of electricity to Kenya, second only to the country’s main power producer, Kenya Electricity Generating Company. Over time, the supply from Ethiopia is expected to rise further to 400 megawatts, strengthening its role in Kenya’s energy mix.

Kenya also continues to maintain power exchange agreements with Uganda. Although imports from Uganda have declined slightly in recent months, regional electricity trade remains an important part of the country’s strategy to ensure grid stability and meet peak demand. Kenya’s electricity demand has consistently remained above 2,200 megawatts, putting pressure on domestic generation capacity.

The rising demand for electricity in Kenya is being driven by several factors. Industrial growth is increasing energy consumption, while the expanding use of electric vehicles is adding new demand on the grid. As more electric cars and motorcycles are introduced, the need for charging infrastructure continues to grow. At the same time, households and small businesses are consuming more electricity as the country pushes toward its goal of universal electricity access by 2030.

To manage this growing demand, Kenya is relying on regional power integration, particularly by tapping into Ethiopia’s large hydropower resources. This approach helps the country maintain a stable and affordable electricity supply while reducing pressure on its domestic generation sources, which include geothermal, wind, and solar power.

The increase in electricity imports reflects a broader shift in East Africa’s energy landscape, where countries are working more closely to share resources and balance supply and demand. For Kenya, these imports act as a critical support system, helping to ensure reliability while supporting economic growth.