Kenya’s electricity imports from neighboring Ethiopia have surged by 88% in the first half of 2024, according to a report released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). This increase marks a major shift in Kenya’s energy import strategy as the country seeks to meet rising electricity demand.

The report revealed that Kenya imported a total of 672.26 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power from Ethiopia during the first six months of 2024, up from 357.44 million kWh in the same period last year. This growth is attributed to Kenya’s pursuit of cheaper hydropower from Ethiopia, with monthly imports rising from 20 million kWh in 2023 to as much as 122 million kWh in 2024.

Ethiopia has now become Kenya’s primary supplier of imported electricity, surpassing Uganda. Imports from Uganda fell to 106.07 million kWh in the first half of 2024, down from 141.23 million kWh during the same period in 2023. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority noted that Ethiopia’s hydroelectric power is considerably cheaper, making it an attractive option for Kenya.

The growing power trade between Kenya and Ethiopia has been facilitated by a newly constructed 500-kilovolt interconnector line. This infrastructure has enabled the efficient transmission of electricity across the border.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald