EPRA calls for bold action on universal energy access
Kenya currently boasts of having about 81 per cent of the nation’s installed grid capacity sourced from renewable energy sources
Stakeholders in the energy sector have been urged to deepen their investment in research, innovation, and inclusive dialogue as critical enablers of universal energy access and sustainable development.
Speaking during the official opening of the 6th Annual Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Research and Innovation Conference 2025, EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to a data-driven and evidence-based regulatory approach aligned with Kenya’s national energy objectives.
“Our collective focus must be on how we can harness research, innovation, and inclusive dialogue to help Kenya realize its ambition for affordable, clean, and reliable energy for all. Energy access is more than just lights and power, it is about transforming lives, creating opportunities, and building resilient communities,” Kiptoo stated.
The conference comes at a time when Kenya continues to make significant strides in expanding access to electricity, where it expects to clock 10 million connections before year-end.
Kenya currently boasts of having about 81 per cent of the nation’s installed grid capacity sourced from renewable energy sources.
EPRA has played a key role in steering the sector through enabling policies, regulatory reforms, and investment facilitation aimed at accelerating progress toward universal access.
Themed “Energy Access,” the week-long conference started yesterday and will end tomorrow, and brings together researchers, policymakers, private sector players, and development partners to exchange ideas and shape the future of energy in Kenya.
Throughout the week, participants will engage in high-level policy discussions, technical sessions, exhibitions, and knowledge-sharing forums expected to produce actionable insights that will inform future policies in the energy sector.
For the first time, the forum includes a Women in Energy Forum and a Youth Research Showcase, reflecting EPRA’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in energy leadership.
Participants from across East Africa, including representatives from academic institutions, development partners, and private sector innovators, are attending either physically or virtually.
The conference aligns with Kenya’s long-term development agenda under Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and global climate action frameworks such as the Paris Agreement.
