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The debate on the benefits of renewable electrification in late industrializing economies has mostly focused on improved electricity access and climate mitigation arguments. The literature pays less attention to understanding the opportunities for sustainable industrialization. This paper contributes to the latter with insights from a case study of Solinc East Africa, a Kenyan solar module manufacturer that has remained in the market, despite intense competition from imports of low-cost solar panels. Drawing on in-depth fieldwork in the solar energy sector in Kenya, we apply a global value chain framework to explore how and why Solinc has been able to sustain its business. Our findings highlight the challenges of localizing solar manufacturing in Kenya and suggest it may only be possible in rare instances. Specifically, a unique combination of circumstances and factors were revealed that enabled Solinc to gain several advantages including (i) initial access to knowledge and materials from upstream linkages; (ii) downstream integration and partnerships with key distributors and customers; (iii) close proximity to customers; and (iv) provision of complementary and increasingly high value-added services. Our findings present a more positive perspective on the localization of related services, which we argue deserves more attention in the sustainable industrialization debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the techno-economic feasibility of using grid-connected PV hybrid systems to supply power in large grid-dependent academic institutions. The study was conducted using the administration building of Moi University in Kenya. The power consumption profile of the building was collected using a PCE-360 power analyzer. The peak load demand was found to be 60 kW. Using random variability constants of 4% for day-to-day and 4% time-step load variability, a peak demand of 70.58 kW was obtained, which was used in our simulation. The solar radiation and temperature data for this site were collected from the weather station of the university. The hybrid system was simulated using HOMER Pro software. It was found from the simulation results that the optimal system was the solar PV/grid without battery storage, which had a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of KSH 8.78/kWh (USD 0.072), net present cost (NPC) of KSH 27,974,492 (USD 230,813), capital expenditure (CAPEX) of KSH 26,300,000 (USD 216,997), and a simple payback period (SPBP) of 5.08 years for a 25-year life span. This system, when compared to the existing grid, showed an 83.94% reduction in the annual electricity bill of the administration building. These results demonstrate a reduction in energy cost by a renewable energy fraction of 67.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Civil aviation authorities, working with their airport, airline and aviation business partners, are developing plans to achieve carbon-neutral aviation growth from 2020. This paper discusses how, in order to meet this goal, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Member States have agreed to a basket of measures for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation. One effective measure identified is replacing aircraft auxiliary power unit emissions with gate electrification systems and solar power as described in the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism small-scale methodology: solar power for domestic aircraft at-gate operations. ICAO, with funding support from international partners, has recently completed three airport pilot projects — in Cameroon, Jamaica and Kenya — that demonstrate how States can implement the solar at-gate measure. Beyond the direct application to auxiliary power units and gate electrification, the solar at-gate concept offers a more general approach as to how other airport electrification conversion projects, including ground support equipment, airport ground transportation and passenger vehicle use, can maximise emission reduction benefits by eliminating fossil-fuel combustion and replacing it with carbon-free electricity. This paper discusses the solar at-gate example, which demonstrates the opportunities associated with maximising airport electrification and supplying the new electricity demand with clean energy for carbon emission reductions consistent with the global efforts to address climate change, and at the same time, accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovation for a greener future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foresight is a pragmatic futures studies approach as structured debate about future-related topics. Deliberative foresight addresses stakeholders affected by specific futures. This paper goes beyond a low-carbon strategy to present the potential of futures based on renewable energy. In the neo-carbon energy system, high shares of solar, wind, and other renewables are used, and carbon dioxide from the air is used as a source for synthetic products such as plastics, chemicals and medicine. As transitions are about technological and social change, a neo-carbon energy innovation ecosystem, consisting of actors at multiple levels, is envisioned. To represent the present ‘direction’ of Kenya's energy transition, four renewable energy approaches and projects are examined. A conceptual model, which consists of deliberative foresight, innovation ecosystems thinking, transformative potential and sustainability, is then introduced. To study emerging energy transformations, historical assumptions and conventional approaches to development and scenario-making need to be challenged. This paper claims that deliberative foresight and a systemic approach to innovation can enable African countries to examine how their economies and energy systems can be transformed into emissions-free, efficient, low-cost, and sustainable. Our approach emphasizes inclusive innovation, broad-based socio-economic benefits, and minimizing environmental harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amongst renewable technologies, solar power has the highest potential as a substitute energy generation option to fossil fuels. However, adoption of rooftop solar technology is still comparatively low. Thus, this paper examined acceptance of rooftop solar technology in Kenya using the Technology Acceptance Model 3 framework. A survey was conducted (N = 402) in two regions of the Kenyan coast, which receive more than 2,000 peak sunlight hours annually. Using Structural Equation Modelling, the analysis revealed self-efficacy, anxiety, occupational relevance, perception of external control, and perceived enjoyment positively influenced perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. These factors also influenced behavioural intentions and indirectly influenced the actual adoption of rooftop solar technology. The study showed a significant impact of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on behavioural intentions towards adoption, which guarantees a reliable energy source and income generation. A majority of respondents (67%) planned to adopt the technology due to its perceived benefits. Solar companies could use these factors to target new niche markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to propose that the socio-technical perspective is under-represented when appraising the adoption potential of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in late-industrialising countries and that this results in under-adoption. It also aims to identify a methodological approach that allows the socio-technical perspective to be integrated into management decision-making, alongside the more typical economic appraisal methodology. Design/methodology/approach: A case study and novel mixed-methodology approach is used, which applies the diffusion of innovations framework, innovation system (IS) framework and system dynamics modelling (SDM) alongside traditional economic modelling and appraisal techniques. This approach is used to assess the adoption potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) and diesel water pumping systems in the wildlife conservation sector and surrounding rural communities in Kenya. The case study approach tests the merits of the mixed-methodology approach. Findings: The life-cycle costs of solar PV water pumping systems are lower in nearly all financing and utilisation scenarios; offer additional social, technical and environmental benefits; and the conditions exist for greater adoption. The use of an integrated diffusion of innovations and IS framework generates significant qualitative data that can support management decision-making. The use of SDM techniques aid conceptualisation of the community economic, water and institutional systems into which water pumps may be diffused and provide a starting point for formal SDM simulation. The results suggest that these techniques capture the socio-technical perspective well and, when used alongside traditional project appraisal approaches, produce more complete information with which to support management decision-making. Originality/value: This mixed-methodology approach could be used by practitioners to increase the diffusion and adoption of RETs in more complex contexts in late-industrialising countries. The emergent theory built through the case-study approach should be tested further to assess the merits of applying these techniques to support RET management decision-making in other contexts and more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the exponentially increasing demand of electrical energy, many developing countries are struggling to provide electricity to the end-users. This challenge has mainly strained traditional power systems. To mitigate against this strain, governments are diversifying and liberalizing the energy market to meet future energy demand. In addition, end-users have several alternatives to reduce electricity cost at demand side. This can be realized either by using efficient devices or incorporating renewable energy sources while scheduling their powers economically. Within this framework, microgrids are considered as efficient power systems to exploit renewable energy sources with demand side management program. Nowadays, microgrids which can harness photovoltaic solar source at low cost are becoming an attractive option for reduction in electricity cost at demand side. To ensure uninterrupted power supply, diesel generators are often used as backup energy systems in most large-scale or industrial applications in Kenya. Therefore, this paper proposes a constrained optimal operation control strategy of microgrid connected photovoltaic with diesel generator backup system related to commercial and industrial (C&I) setups in Kenya. Particularly, the objective function simultaneously aims at reducing energy purchased from utility grid and the fuel consumption cost of the conventional diesel generator. The constraints related to control variables are taken in the context of C&I in Kenya. The optimal operation control is carried out using FMINCON interior-point algorithm, and two scenarios are analysed. The first scenario is carried out by considering the intermittent mode from 7:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs, while the second scenario is considered in the intermittent connected mode. A case study is done based on the daily load profile of the Engineering workshops at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) located at - 1.099 ∘ latitude and 37.014 ∘ longitude. The optimal operation control has shown great benefits in terms of energy saving, cost saving as well as daily revenue. The daily energy saving is increased up to 52.1%, the daily cost saving is 20%, and daily energy sold is found to be 142.4 kWh which can generate daily income of $17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As energy transitions are progressing and economies of scale are kicking in, renewable-electricity generation begins to include, and be dominated by, large-scale operations. This shift is accompanied by far-reaching changes in the ownership and financing structures of renewable-energy projects, involving connections and (inter)dependencies between international and domestic investors and policies. With growing sizes and maturity, renewable-energy projects are also increasingly taken to capital markets and have become subject to financialization. Until recently these processes have only been observed in the Global North but not in the Global South. So far there has been little research on renewable-energy financialization in the Global South, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In our paper we address this gap by exploring the international connections and (possible) financialization of two large-scale renewable-energy projects in Kenya. Based on case-study analyses of geothermal and wind projects in Kenya, we argue that due to their complex risk structure, public investment and support, both from domestic sources and development finance institutions (DFIs), are and will remain key to facilitate or even enable such projects. In contrast to Baker's (2015) case study on South Africa, we neither see nor expect financialization of large-scale renewable-energy projects in Kenya and most other Sub-Saharan African countries any time soon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy services are crucial to human wellbeing and development, and without reliable energy, it is difficult to escape subsistence lifestyles and poverty. Here, we report on four identical capacity rural minigrid interventions undertaken in Kenya and Uganda with differing socioeconomic characteristics and demographics. The research outcomes presented briefly discuss the preparation stages of the interventions including community surveys that informed the technical design, deployment phases, and setup of the community cooperatives to manage the minigrid projects. The main focus here is on lessons learned, including system design and minigrid performance under various load profiles. The results show a clear and increasing uptake of power by the communities with intensities varying depending on the electricity tariff used. Across the four minigrids, daily electricity growth rates are seen to vary by a factor of 8. The Ugandan minigrids operated at close to utility grid tariff and reached the 28-kWh/day design limit within two years. By contrast, the Kenyan minigrids charged a higher cost recovery tariff, which capped the demand and systems operate below the design limit. These findings have implications not only to system design but also to system stability and longevity. The approach taken here, of community centered cooperatives running the delivered minigrids, is now embedded within the rural electrification authorities/agencies in both countries, with additional similar projects being planned in 2019/2020. The application, ramifications, and replication of such a minigrid concept as compared to other approaches are also discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With ambitious targets to drastically increase economic activity over the next decade, Kenya's future is undoubtedly energy-intensive. Current power capacity expansion plans will see Kenya considerably ramp up fossil fuel generation, significantly increasing emissions. Therefore, Kenya is at a crucial stage of its national development, with critical decisions to make regarding its future power expansion and production. OSeMOSYS modelling software (clicSAND version v1.1) is employed to produce a series of possible clean energy transition pathways to increase renewable power production under rapidly intensifying demand. This study integrates existing national priorities and policies into six modelled scenarios to provide insights into their generation, total production, and costs, which can assist future policymaking and capacity-building efforts. The high-level insights gained in this research were employed to suggest key recommendations for Kenya's power sector. Most notably, policy alignment, increased wind power production, energy-efficiency penetration, finance and investment securement, the development of storage technologies, power transmission, and distribution improvements should be prioritised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rising threat of climate change, green hydrogen is increasingly seen as the high-capacity energy storage and transport medium of the future. This creates an opportunity for low- and middle-income countries to leverage their high renewable energy potential to produce, use, and export low-cost green hydrogen, creating environmental and economic development benefits. While identifying ideal locations for green hydrogen production is critical for countries when defining their green hydrogen strategies, there has been a paucity of adequate geospatial planning approaches suitable to low- and middle-income countries. It is essential for these countries to identify green hydrogen production sites which match demand to expected use cases such that their strategies are economically sustainable. This paper therefore develops a novel geospatial cost modelling method to optimize the location of green hydrogen production across different use cases, with a focus on suitability to low- and middle-income countries. This method is applied in Kenya to investigate the potential hydrogen supply chain for three use cases: ammonia-based fertilizer, freight transport, and export. We find hydrogen production costs of €3.7–9.9/kg H 2 are currently achievable across Kenya, depending on the production location chosen. The cheapest production locations are identified to the south and south-east of Lake Turkana. We show that ammonia produced in Kenya can be cost-competitive given the current energy crisis and that Kenya could export hydrogen to Rotterdam with costs of €7/kg H 2 , undercutting current market prices regardless of the carrier medium. With expected techno-economic improvements, hydrogen production costs across Kenya could drop to €1.8–3.0/kg H 2 by 2030. [Display omitted] • We develop a novel GIS method to identify least-cost green hydrogen production locations. • This is applied in Kenya for ammonia, freight transport, and export use cases. • Hydrogen production costs of €3.7–9.9/kg H 2 are currently achievable in Kenya. • The cheapest production locations are to the south/south-east of Lake Turkana. • Kenya could export hydrogen and undercut current market prices with any carrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution offers a thorough analysis of challenges and opportunities related to the adoption of sustainable energy policies in specific developing countries (i.e., Albania, Brazil, India, Kenya). The use of renewable energy sources must be increased if the world is to meet its climate goals and alleviate the negative effects of fossil fuel consumption. However, due to fiscal restrictions, institutional barriers, and technology limitations, developing countries face particular challenges in adopting such policies. In order to help these countries move towards a sustainable energy future, this study analyses these issues and suggests viable solutions for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Off-grid, renewable based electricity systems are becoming increasingly competitive for remote rural communities. When the electricity supplied is used productively by micro and small enterprises (MSE), it has the potential to contribute to income generation and poverty reduction. MSE are prevalent in rural Kenya to complement agricultural activities. However, most of them struggle to survive and they provide insufficient income to escape poverty. This paper investigates if the provision of electricity through solar mini-grids could contribute to improving business performance in rural Kenya. We use a difference-in-differences approach to compare business outcomes before and after electrification in regions with and without mini-grids. Outcomes include opening hours, number of enterprises, profits, sales, and expenses. Our results show that nearly two years after the implementation of mini-grids, these have not had the intended effect of improving business performance. Electricity consumption has remained low and demand for the products and services sold by local businesses has not picked up after the arrival of mini-grids. We recommend adjusting the size of the systems to the actual demand and implementing complementary measures to improve agricultural productivity and access to external markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) has the lowest energy access rates in the world, which poses a key barrier to power system development. Deployment of renewables, including wind and solar power, will play a key role in expanding electricity supply across SSA: distributed generation (enabling access for remote communities), cost‐effectiveness and low emissions are key advantages. However, renewable generation is weather dependent; therefore, including more renewables increases the amount of meteorologically driven variability in the power system. Two countries in SSA are chosen for detailed investigation of this meteorologically driven variability: Senegal in West Africa and Kenya in East Africa. These are chosen due to being areas of dense population, where there is operational wind and solar power, and plans for regional expansion. In Senegal, solar generation is fairly consistent throughout the year, while wind generation exhibits strong seasonality, with a peak in the boreal spring. Low wind and solar power generation days during the boreal summer are found to be related to the passage of African Easterly Waves. Over Kenya, both wind and solar generation exhibit seasonal variability, with wind generation peaking during boreal autumn, and solar generation at a minimum during boreal summer. Inter‐annual variability in generation is greater over Kenya than over Senegal; the El Nino Southern Oscillation is found to impact wind and solar generation over Kenya. El Nino phases are associated with lower wind and solar generation in October–December over Kenya, but higher generation in July–September. This improved understanding of variability will assist system planners in designing reliable future energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A GIS-based MCDM model for the site selection of solar and wind energies in Kenya is proposed. • A decision-making sizing model for sustainable energy access is developed for rural electrification. • 19.28 and 35, 18.9% of Kenyan's land has the potential for installation of solar, wind, and hybrid solar/wind. • Hybrid solar-wind-diesel mini-grid is the first ranked alternative for supplying the representative rural village. • The designed system has the best energy, economy, and ecology performances compared to grid extension and diesel systems. The use of hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) holds great promise for sustainable electrification and support countries reaching their energy access goals. The site selection and design of HRES are strategic stages towards ensuring an affordable, sustainable, and well-performing project. However, both are multidimensional and intricate issues that involve multiple conflicting assessment criteria and alternatives, which are not yet investigated comprehensively and simultaneously in many of the existing literature. In this context, the paper aims to develop a systematic and conceptual decision-making framework for site suitability and optimal design of HRESs, with an application on a regional scale in Kenya, Sub-Saharan Africa. The suggested framework is applied through three consecutive phases. First, a geographical information system (GIS) is combined with Best Worst Method (BWM) decision-making approach to spatially investigate and analyze the potential sites of solar, wind, and hybrid solar/wind systems. Within the spatial investigation, 9 different climatology, environment, location, and orography criteria are considered. Second, energy-economy-ecology (E3) design optimization is conducted to determine the list of feasible alternatives among grid-extension, autonomous HRES, and stand-alone diesel genset electrification schemes for powering a representative remote rural village in Kenya. Third, a post-optimality multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) analysis is applied to decide and assess the optimal energy access design against 12 key sustainability indicators. In the third phase, the BWM is employed to define the weights of each indicator. Then, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and the VIšekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR) decision making approaches are used for the final ranking of feasible alternatives. The obtained site suitability maps of Kenya show that 0.91% (5322 km2) and 1.5% (8828.4 km2) of the land is highly suitable, 10.25% (59687 km2) and 33.04% (192360 km2) is suitable, and 80.5% (470313 km2) and 65% (378407 km2) is permanently unsuitable for establishing solar and wind systems, respectively. Also, E3-MCDM results indicate that the development of solar/wind/diesel/battery HRES is the best sustainable solution to supply the studied region as compared to other feasible alternatives. The system does not only guarantee a reliable operation with an unmet load of 552 kWh/yr, but it also has the lowest net present and energy costs at 2.6 M$ and 0.28 $/kWh, respectively, meanwhile avoiding annual CO 2 of 804 tons compared with diesel system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for power in Kenya is on the increase with the ongoing growth of the country’s economy. There is a need for the country to balance energy efficiency, sustainability and low-carbon technologies. This entails drafting and implementing policies and strategies towards a low-carbon development path, ranging from fuels, technologies and infrastructure. This work examines the drivers of renewable energy resources in Kenya, focusing on Ngong Wind Farm. Results show that most low-carbon innovations in Kenya are driven by government tariffs and policies. Funding, and political and community goodwill remarkably influence the success of wind power projects in Kenya. The case study is a novel experiment that offers sustainable alternatives in the energy sector. There is need for more investment in the renewable sector, especially in the set up of power plants and power storage. To address the shortcomings in the renewable energy sector, there is a need for further research and development, and collaborations to foster innovations in the wind power sector in country. A combination of knowledge and resources, and leveraging local and national policies are potential ways in which institutional platforms can foster wind technology advancement and dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]