Kenya has secured a KES 3.3 billion grant from the European Union (EU) to accelerate the implementation of its Green Hydrogen Strategy. With the funds being used to address the need for low-cost, stable renewable energy supply.
The announcement took center stage during a stakeholder meeting on Monday, November 20, 2023, where stakeholders from different sectors convened in Nairobi to deliberate on Kenya’s approach to fostering a sustainable, green economy.
The gathering served as a follow-up session following the launch of the country’s Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap at the Africa Climate Summit in September and the signing of the Joint Declaration on Renewable Clean Hydrogen at the EU-Kenya Business forum in March.
“As part of Team Europe, the European Investment Bank stands ready to enhance cooperation to develop public and private sector investment that uses wind, solar and geothermal resources to produce green hydrogen, combat climate change, and support economic development in Kenya,” said Thomas Östros, European Investment Bank Vice President during the EU-Kenya Business forum.
Further adding “Our energy and finance experts at the EIB Regional Hub in Nairobi and at headquarters will work closely with Kenyan partners to identify and develop new renewable energy projects and unlock construction of hydrogen production infrastructure.”
Discussions revolved around the role of Green Hydrogen (GH2) and Power-to-X (PtX) technologies in Kenya’s strategy, particularly in challenging-to-decarbonize industries like fertilizer production, aviation, shipping, and steel manufacturing.
Following the signing of the joint declaration on renewable clean hydrogen in March, Kenya committed to developing its clean energy capabilities in order to harness it for economic development and industrial growth.
During the forum in March Davis Chirchir Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Energy was optimistic about the country’s green energy potential stating “The Joint Declaration between Kenya and the European Investment Bank will improve understanding of how best to identify, structure, unlock and implement green hydrogen investment. Development of green hydrogen in Kenya has the potential to enable 100% of Kenya’s energy needs to be supplied by clean power.”
81 percent of Kenya’s electricity generation came from low carbon sources such as geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar power with the country having set itself a target to generate 100 percent of total electricity from renewables by 2030. Currently, only five countries across the world generate 100 percent of their power from renewables. The five include Albania, Bhutan, Lesotho, Nepal and Paraguay.
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