Kenya has witnessed a notable increase in energy consumption and electricity imports in the first half of the financial year 2024/2025, according to the latest Biannual Energy & Petroleum Statistics report by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
According to EPRA,the total electricity consumption grew from 5,205.79 GWh in the previous year to 5,484.54 GWh during the review period, indicating rising demand across the country.
Nairobi region led in energy utilization, consuming 2,415.44 GWh—accounting for 44.04% of the total national consumption—due to its strong industrial, SME, and real estate sectors.
This marked an increase from 2,293.95 GWh recorded in the same period last year.
The Coast region ranked second, consuming 988.21 GWh (18.02% of the total), up from 930.05 GWh.
Rift Valley followed, utilizing 759.42 GWh compared to 705.48 GWh in the previous financial year, representing 13.85% of total consumption.
Read also:Silenced Online: How Kenya’s Digital Space Faces Increased Censorship
North-Eastern and Mt. Kenya regions accounted for 10.69% (586.09 GWh) and 6.45% (353.90 GWh) of the national consumption, respectively.
The lowest electricity consumption was recorded in the West Kenya (280.78 GWh, 5.12%) and South Nyanza (110.69 GWh, 1.84%) regions.
“This sustained rise in energy demand highlights the country’s economic resilience and expanding industries,” stated the EPRA report.
The report also recorded a 13.38% increase in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) demand, reaching 219,416 metric tonnes.
This rise is attributed to government-led clean cooking initiatives and strategic policies promoting LPG usage among households and businesses.
Electricity imports saw a sharp 79.41% surge, growing from 419.13 GWh in the previous financial year to 751.95 GWh. The surge was primarily driven by the full operationalization of Kenya’s energy import contract with Ethiopia Electricity Power (EEP) in December 2023.
Kenya currently imports 200 MW from EEP and maintains power trade agreements with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) and Tanzania Electricity Supply Company Limited (TANESCO), securing access to competitively priced renewable energy.
“The rise in electricity imports strengthens Kenya’s commitment to regional energy cooperation and ensures stable power supply,” the EPRA report highlighted.
November recorded the highest electricity imports at 134.18 GWh, while July had the lowest at 106.11 GWh. The report underscores Kenya’s growing reliance on regional power trade to enhance energy security and sustainability.
