Climate Change and Sustainable Development in the Kenyan Electricity Sector

The report evaluates emission pathways and technology options for Kenya's electricity sector to ensure alignment with the Paris Agreement and sustainable development goals. It argues that avoiding coal and limiting natural gas in favor of geothermal, mini-grids, and energy efficiency is essential for a Paris-compatible trajectory. The document highlights a misalignment between previous climate documents and actual sector planning, recommending integrated planning processes and the creation of a Long-term Strategy to provide transparency and a clear economic vision.

• To maintain a Paris-compatible electricity sector, Kenya must avoid installing coal capacity and restrict the use of additional natural gas, while expanding geothermal power, renewable energy mini-grids, and energy efficiency. These alternatives are expected to provide low-cost universal electricity and support sustainable development goals like clean air and job creation.
• There is a significant misalignment between previous climate change documentation and the actual planning and developments within the electricity sector, which hinders mitigation planning. The process of updating the NDC is identified as a key opportunity to rectify this misalignment.
• Improving the alignment between electricity supply and climate planning requires three specific actions: involving climate policy representatives in sector planning (and vice versa), synchronizing emission baselines and targets across documents, and incorporating sustainable development impact evidence into sector planning.
• Developing a Long-term Strategy as mandated by the Paris Agreement, aligned with the Agreement's temperature goals, would offer stakeholders transparency and a clear vision for the future of Kenya's society and economy.

APA

NewClimate Institute (2020). Climate Change and Sustainable Development in the Kenyan Electricity Sector. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/climate-change-and-sustainable-development-in-the-kenyan-electricity-sector

Chicago

NewClimate Institute. Climate Change and Sustainable Development in the Kenyan Electricity Sector. 2020. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/climate-change-and-sustainable-development-in-the-kenyan-electricity-sector.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=NewClimate Institute |title=Climate Change and Sustainable Development in the Kenyan Electricity Sector |date=12 February 2020 |url=http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/climate-change-and-sustainable-development-in-the-kenyan-electricity-sector |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{newclimateinstitute2020climate, author = {{NewClimate Institute}}, title = {{Climate Change and Sustainable Development in the Kenyan Electricity Sector}}, institution = {NewClimate Institute}, year = {2020}, month = feb, url = {http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/climate-change-and-sustainable-development-in-the-kenyan-electricity-sector}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }