NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 5 – Stakeholders in the energy sector have been urged to embrace research and innovation to develop energy solutions that are affordable, accessible and reliable for consumers.
Speaking during the 2024 Research and Innovation Conference Daniel Kiptoo, Director General Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) stated that research particularly in areas of energy storage, e-mobility and local innovations for rural electrification can help develop solutions that directly address the needs of Kenyans.
“As Kenya strives towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, the research community should focus their efforts on emerging areas of the energy transition,” said Kiptoo, Director General EPRA.
He affirmed that Kenya’s unique challenges provide fertile ground for groundbreaking research, with promising areas including energy storage solutions.
This year’s conference themed “The Energy Transition” focuses on promoting sustainable energy access, decarbonisation, and energy market developments.
“This research has the potential to unlock innovative solutions that directly benefit Kenyans consumers by lowering costs, increasing access to clean energy, and creating a more secure and reliable power supply,’’ added Kiptoo.
Currently, the country is implementing a 100 megawatts (MW) Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) project under the Kenya Green and Resilient Expansion of Energy (GREEN) program
The project which was a result of research and innovation efforts by the Authority will help optimise grid operation by storing excess energy and releasing it during peak hours.
The Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will also act as a buffer, mitigating the intermittency of renewable energy sources like solar and wind to help stabilise the grid by reducing power outages and ensuring reliable energy supply for Kenyans.
