By Daily Nation
That Kenya is a powerhouse in renewable energy has been confirmed by its listing among the top five fastest-growing solar energy markets in Africa last year.
According to an analysis by Solar Plaza International BV, the five countries contributed a combined 1,067 megawatts of newly-installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity within a year.
Kenya is number three with a 245 per cent increase, or 55MW, from its 2017 figure of 38MW to 93MW last year.
But although the enviable status is a célèbre, we should not rest on our laurels. The fastest- and second-fastest-growing solar market in the continent leaves us in leaps and bounds in terms of solar installations.
Top in annual growth, Egypt’s solar industry burst onto the scene last year by adding 581MW of PV capacity (more than 10-fold of Kenya’s feat) to make its total solar energy contribution into their energy mix 750MW.
In terms of a total solar PV installation, South Africa is flexing its muscles with total installations of 2,559, an increase by 373MW, almost eight times more than Kenya’s effort and over thrice its geothermal generation by KenGen. Kenya, however, beat Namibia (33MW increase) and Ghana (25 MW).
