Kenya records sharp rise in electricity demand as EPRA reports stronger energy consumption

By Monyonge Kebati

Kenya’s electricity demand hit a record high of 2,514.28 megawatts (MW) in the 2025/2026 financial year, reflecting growing demand from households, businesses and industries, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has reported.

The new peak, recorded on June 29, 2026, represents an 8.55 per cent increase from the previous financial year, equivalent to an additional 198 MW. EPRA said it was the highest annual increase in peak demand recorded in five years and the first time national demand crossed the 2,500 MW mark.

The figures are contained in the Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report for the year ended June 2026, released on September 29, 2026.

Speaking during the release of the report, EPRA Acting Director General Dr Joseph Oketch said the rise in demand was accompanied by an 8.44 per cent growth in electricity generation, as investments continued to expand generation and transmission capacity.

Imports rise as Kenya taps regional power markets

The report also shows increased reliance on regional electricity trade, with power imports rising by 379.81 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to 1,913.66 GWh during the year.

Imports accounted for 12.19 per cent of Kenya’s total electricity energy mix, up from 10.60 per cent the previous year.

Ethiopia supplied the bulk of the imported electricity through the 500kV high-voltage direct current interconnection, accounting for 1,577.66 GWh, or 82.45 per cent of total imports. Uganda supplied 322.06 GWh, while Tanzania contributed 6.53 GWh.

Kenya currently draws 200 MW through the Ethiopia interconnection, with that capacity expected to rise to 400 MW under the next phase of the power purchase agreement with Ethiopian Electric Power.

EPRA said the expanding regional interconnection strengthens Kenya’s position within the Eastern Africa Power Pool, giving the country access to competitively priced electricity while increasing flexibility and reliability within the national grid.

Household electricity consumption climbs

Domestic consumers recorded the largest increase among electricity consumer categories, with consumption rising by 18.87 per cent.

Households accounted for 34.77 per cent of total electricity consumption, up from 32.13 per cent the previous year. EPRA attributed the growth to higher per-capita electricity use and an increasing number of domestic customers.

Electric mobility also recorded significant growth, with electricity consumption in the sector increasing by more than 143 per cent during the reporting period, pointing to an emerging shift in how Kenyans consume energy.

Renewables remain dominant

Renewable energy continued to account for the majority of Kenya’s installed electricity capacity, standing at 81.16 per cent when interconnected, captive and off-grid renewable capacity are combined.

Captive generation capacity grew by 12.05 per cent to 676.60 MW, with solar photovoltaic installations leading the expansion.

Captive solar PV capacity increased from 300.5 MW to 373.30 MW, representing a 24.22 per cent rise during the year.

EPRA said the growth in captive generation could help ease pressure on the national grid while providing businesses and other users with additional energy sources.

Petroleum imports and LPG consumption increase

The petroleum sector also registered growth, with petroleum product imports increasing by 11.52 per cent to 10.88 million cubic metres.

Domestic petroleum consumption rose by 8.41 per cent to 6.33 million cubic metres, with EPRA saying the sector maintained security of supply despite disruptions associated with the conflict in the Middle East and instability in some international markets.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumption increased by 14.62 per cent, while per-capita consumption rose from 7.9 kilogrammes to 8.9 kilogrammes.

The regulator linked the increase to a continued shift towards cleaner cooking options and reduced dependence on biomass fuels.

EPRA reports rise in licensing and complaint resolution

EPRA also reported an increase in electrical worker and contractor licensing during the 2025/2026 financial year.

Electrical worker licences rose by 53 per cent to 884, while contractor licences increased by 22 per cent to 648, the highest number of licences issued in the two categories in five years.

The authority attributed the growth partly to increased public awareness and the decentralisation of licensing services to its regional offices.

On consumer complaints, EPRA received 489 complaints during the financial year. Of these, 482 were resolved, while seven remained under review at the close of the financial year.

Oketch said EPRA would continue focusing on regulation, investment facilitation and consumer protection while seeking to ensure Kenya’s energy transition remains inclusive, affordable and sustainable.