Approximately 25% of the population has no access to electricity from KPLC. Kenya has now plans to deliver universal access by 2022.

As of 2020, the population of Kenya is estimated to be about 54 million. Access to electricity has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. As per census 2019, 50.4% of the population use mains electricity of lighting, 24.5% use solar lights and systems while the remainder uses paraffin and other means. In total Kenya has about 2800 MW of power installed, some 80% from renewable sources like hydro, geothermal, wind and solar.

In far-flung villages planted beyond the reach of regular power lines, an increasing number of communities are enjoying the benefits of having electricity in their homes and businesses thanks to the sun shining down on them. This is the power of solar mini-grids.

In December 2020, Amos Ndumos and I traveled to Busia, Siaya, Kisii, Nyamira and Kajiado Counties on an assignment for the Green Mini-Grid Facility Kenya which supports the development of mini-grids by the private sector in Kenya. The facility is funded by UKAid and the European Union with the French Development Agency (AFD) as the implementing organization.

Find the first major survey of Mini-Grid Deployment in Africa, published by the World Bank. The analysis points out three key actions for governments and practitioners across the continent:

• Create an adaptive and responsive policy approach
• Focus on the entire mini-grid ecosystem
• Invest in both qualitative and quantitative assessments of the development impacts of mini-grids

GMG Facility Kenya continues to accept applications from Green Mini Grid developers and programmes focused on supporting the Kenyan 2020 goal of providing access to electrification to all. A reminder that the call for application has no deadline and that the GMG Facility Managing Entity will be reviewing applicants periodically. We have begun to review the first set of applicants and will be starting the next round in the next several weeks. As the time draws near, we will announce when we plan to start the second round reviews. To get more information, please register at our online portal. Once you register, you will receive a username and password to gain access to the details in the GMG Facility Manual of Procedures on eligibility, grant awards, and application requirements.

You can check the organization and project eligibility criteria here.

Africa is among the strongest solar resources in the world, it also brings tremendous opportunities to the solar and energy storage industry. The great market potential has encouraged Leader Group to launch Africa Solar + Energy Storage Congress & Expo 2017 to be held in Nairobi, Kenya on June 27-28, 2017. Participants such as Governments, Utilities, Project developers, Investors, Energy storage products manufacturers, Consulting firms, as well as other related sectors are invited to together discuss opportunities, challenges and solutions for solar and energy storage development in the African market, especially Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda.

The Green Mini Grid Facility Kenya aims to enhance access to energy in Kenya by encouraging private investment in renewable energy-based mini-grids.

Access to energy is recognized as a basic human right by the Kenyan 2010 Constitution. Subsequently, the Kenyan Government is committed to ensuring that all Kenyans have this access by the year 2020, in line with Vision 2030.

The GMG Facility Kenya was established to support the Government’s commitment towards Kenya’s electrification, with funding from the UK Department for International Development (DfID), for investment in milestone-based investment grants, output-based grants, and technical assistance for both mini-grid developers and the sector as a whole.

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is the implementing partner for the Facility. AFD has strong regional experience in managing programs aimed at promoting renewable energy resources and energy efficiency. AFD has partnered with Innov ation Energie Développement to be the M anaging E ntity . IED will manage the day-to-day operations of the GMG Facility, in partnership with I - DEV and Practical Action Consulting.

Ultimately, the GMG Facility will provide assistance to the private sector in a responsible manner so as to develop sustainable and scalable businesses supporting a market-driven approach to providing energy access to all Kenyans.

The GMG Facility Kenya was rolled out on the 2nd of March 2017 at the GIZ Financing for Mini-Grid workshop, where Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, the Hon. Dr. Eng. Joseph Njoroge, emphasized the importance of mini-grids to the mix of energy solutions to meet the goal of reaching all Kenyans with affordable power. The First Call for Proposals will be in March 2017, with a rolling call thereafter. Private mini - grid developers, non - governmental organizations and local institutions can submit proposals with a chance of accessing technical and financial support for the design, development, and execution of green mini-grids in Kenya.

All information on where and how to submit an application can be found on the GMG Facility’s website while applications can be done here

COFIDES published a call for Proposal. (extract from their website):

The European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) combines a Guarantee Fund (of up to 1.5 billion EUR) with two regional investment platforms - the Investment Platform for Africa and the Neighbourhood Investment Platform.

Under the Investment windows of the Guarantee Fund, the pillar-assessed (accredited) entities can submit Proposed Investment Programs (PIP), which are the framework for specific projects to be defined and supported.

Call for EoI: Social Impact Incentives (SIINC) Pilot Project in Kenya

• Funded by Other - Government Notices Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) - The Netherlands Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Join us for our second Green Mini-Grid (GMG) Kenya Webinar series on Rural Electrification in Kenya. We will delve into the overall experience of GMG since its early days providing insights into key issues such as technical assistance and grant support to private developers, aspects of regulations, promoting productive use, and ensuring social and gender inclusivity.

Watch our latest video about the positive impact of GMG on end-users lives: Positive Impact