Kenya has stepped up efforts to modernise its electricity grid as the government seeks to integrate more renewable energy into the national power system.
This was revealed on Tuesday at the Kenya Energy Transition Forum 2026 in Nairobi, organised by the State Department for Energy in partnership with Huawei Kenya. The forum brought together government officials, industry executives, technology experts, development partners and researchers to discuss Kenya’s energy transition and the challenges facing the electricity sector.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said Kenya had made significant progress in developing a clean and increasingly renewable-based electricity system.
He cited the country’s abundant geothermal, hydro, wind and solar resources as a strong foundation for a sustainable energy future.
However, Mr Wachira said the growing share of variable renewable energy, particularly wind and solar, required the country to strengthen the flexibility, stability and resilience of its electricity system.
“The energy transition is therefore not simply about adding more renewable generation. It is also about modernising the electricity grid and transforming the way we plan, operate and manage the power system,” he said.
Mr Wachira identified smart grids, advanced grid management systems, improved forecasting, digitalisation, demand-side flexibility, power electronics and energy storage as key technologies for improving grid stability and enabling the integration of higher levels of renewable energy.
He said the technologies would also help strengthen the resilience of the power system and reduce technical and commercial losses.
The PS urged stakeholders to focus on practical and scalable solutions, saying the sector should consider not only the technologies available but also how they could be deployed at scale.
He also called for greater attention to investment needs and the policy and regulatory frameworks required to unlock the potential of emerging energy technologies.
“Kenya has a unique opportunity to position itself at the forefront of Africa’s energy transition,” Mr Wachira said.
He said he expected the forum’s discussions to translate into partnerships, investments and practical solutions for Kenya’s energy future.
“We have the renewable energy resources, a growing technology ecosystem and a strong foundation in our energy sector.” ~ Mr. Wachira.
Huawei Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Public Affairs in Kenya James Sun Quan said the technology company was committed to supporting the country’s energy transition through innovation.
“Huawei is proud to partner with the State Department for Energy on Kenya’s energy transition journey. Technologies such as grid-forming energy storage and smart grid solutions can help Kenya integrate more renewable energy while keeping the grid stable and reliable,” he said.
The forum was attended by Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Chairman Moses Mabonga, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) chief executive officer Peter Njenga, among other stakeholders.
