Wednesday: Kenya\’s Most Productive Day, Power Demand Reaches Peak
Kenya’s Energy Sector Shows Growth and Transformation
Kenya\’s energy sector has shown a significant shift in consumption patterns, with Wednesday emerging as the most productive day for the economy. According to the annual Energy and Petroleum Sector Statistics Report for the period ended June 30, 2025, power production peaks at an annual average of 41.01 GWh on this day. The report highlights that the country\’s daily demand profile reflects socio-economic activities throughout the day.
Tuesdays and Thursdays followed closely behind, recording averages of 40.57 GWh and 40.45 GWh respectively. In contrast, Sunday was the lowest demand day, averaging 34.96 GWh. These fluctuations in demand are influenced by various factors, including industrial activity and consumer behavior.
Large commercial and industrial consumers are the primary drivers of electrical energy consumption in Kenya. These customers, which include industries, factories, high-rise buildings, warehouses, and public infrastructure such as airports, ports, and railway stations, account for a significant portion of total electricity usage. According to data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), this category of consumers accounted for 49.61 per cent of total electricity consumption in the country, using 5,620.71 GWh.
Despite their dominance, the share of large-scale consumers decreased slightly from 51.86 per cent in the previous financial year to 49.6 per cent. This decline is attributed to increased consumption in other categories. The current economic situation in Kenya has led to many firms closing or scaling down operations, affecting overall consumption levels.
However, there has been an overall increase in total electricity consumption during the period under review. The peak demand reached 2,316.2 MW, marking a 6.38 per cent rise compared to the previous year\’s peak of 2,177 MW. This growth reflects robust economic activity, with domestic consumption increasing by 13.03 per cent to 3,640.32 GWh. Small commercial consumers also saw a rise of 11.5 per cent, reaching 1,913.26 GWh.
Additionally, street lighting consumption increased by 43.9 per cent, while electric mobility consumption surged by 300 per cent, reaching 5.04 GWh. Daniel Kiptoo, director general at EPRA, expressed optimism about these developments, noting that large-scale energy consumers saved approximately Sh1.44 billion by using the Time-of-Use (TOU) tariff, which accumulated to 180.3 GWh in consumption.
Kiptoo also highlighted the potential for further growth in e-mobility, stating that the regulator aims to remove the 15,000-unit monthly consumption cap for e-mobility users. This move is expected to encourage more investment and usage in electric vehicles.
Regional Interconnection and Renewable Energy Expansion
The report also highlights progress in regional interconnection, thanks to the completion of the 210-kilometre 400kV transmission line to Tanzania. This development enables strategic interconnections with Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania. During the year under review, electricity imports from Ethiopia (EEP) amounted to 1,274.42 GWh, accounting for 83.09 per cent of total imports. Uganda contributed 225.64 GWh, or 14.71 per cent, while Tanzania accounted for 33.79 GWh, or 2.2 per cent.
The energy sector continues to focus on achieving 100 per cent clean energy, with renewable sources accounting for 80.5 per cent of total generation. Geothermal energy remains the largest contributor, making up 39.51 per cent of total energy generated. Hydro generation follows with 24.21 per cent, wind accounts for 13.18 per cent, and solar energy stands at 3.27 per cent.
At least 10.1 million Kenyans were connected to the grid by the end of the financial year. The government\’s initiative to promote LPG uptake in households, institutions, and for autogas has seen LPG consumption rise by 15 per cent, from 360,594 metric tonnes in 2023 to 414,861 metric tonnes during the period under review.
Petroleum Sector Growth and Investment Opportunities
The petroleum sector also experienced growth, with domestic demand for products rising by 6.94 per cent (5,839,464.78 m³). This increase is primarily due to declining local and international prices, which stimulated higher economic activity.
The report also outlines a significant restructuring of Kenya\’s petroleum blocks, reconfiguring them into 50 high-potential blocks to attract new investment and exploration. This move is expected to open up new opportunities for both local and international investors in the petroleum sector.
