DTU contributes to new energy efficiency strategy in Kenya

Experts from the UNEP DTU Partnership, together with Kenyan and international institutions, have developed the Kenyan National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NEECS), which was launched on 15 September by the Ministry of Energy in Kenya.

The strategy marks a preliminary milestone of a five-year agreement between the Copenhagen Centre for Energy Efficiency, which is part of the UNEP DTU Partnership, and the Ministry of Energy in Kenya. The agreement is aimed at accelerating efforts to improve energy efficiency in the country and ensuring that it achieves its ambitious climate targets and meets its international commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Energy efficiency is a key area for sustainable development in Kenya. The aim is to improve energy security, reduce the cost of energy imports, ease the strain on the national grid at times of peak demand, and on the country’s forests, and reduce pollution from energy production and fuel consumption.

Spreading throughout the region
The Kenyan Ministry of Energy has laid out the political direction, and the UNEP DTU Partnership has provided technical expertise and cooperated with local institutions to ensure that the efficiency targets are also put into practice among all Kenyans. In addition, World Bank experts have participated in the review of the strategy and contributed comments and suggestions. The World Bank now plans to include a selection of the prioritised initiatives in the strategy for its next loan package to Kenya.

The development of the Kenyan National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy has also attracted the attention of donors who are interested in supporting the implementation, and of other countries in the region. The East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) is currently in dialogue with the UNEP DTU Partnership to develop an energy efficiency strategy for the entire East African region.