EAST AFRICA – East African Community (EAC) Partner States have reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing energy efficiency and harnessing wind, solar, and geothermal energy as sustainable energy reservoirs for the region.
Partner States have subsequently initiated various endeavors to tap into the potential of renewable energy and energy conservation.
These include reviewing national renewable energy legislation, implementing energy management regulations, formulating national strategies and standards for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and promoting energy efficiency and conservation.
During the Ministerial Session of the 16th Sectoral Council of Energy held at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, Partner States reported investments in wind and solar energy infrastructure, from Burundi’s solar mini-grids to Kenya’s wind and solar projects, all aimed at augmenting renewable energy contributions to the national grid.
Similarly, Rwanda and Tanzania reported heightened investment in solar energy projects, while Uganda emphasized its focus on solar energy deployment for rural electrification.
The Ministers were apprised of Partner States’ exploration of mini-hydro projects and the transformation of biomass energy sources.
Initiatives range from promoting sustainable charcoal production to implementing clean cooking solutions and bioenergy strategies.
The Ministers acknowledged updates on ongoing fossil fuel projects, reaffirming the region’s commitment to fossil fuel sub-sector development.
Noteworthy progress includes Kenya’s commercial oil discovery in the South Lokichar basin within the Tertiary rift basin, estimated at 2.9 billion barrels with a recoverable estimate of 585 million barrels.
Other updates included Tanzania’s preparations for the 5th licensing round of oil and natural gas exploration blocks, Uganda’s petroleum resource development projects, and progress in constructing the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project, with the installation of pipes on the ground scheduled to commence in May 2024. Rwanda’s utilization of methane gas for electricity generation was also highlighted.
To promote petroleum exploration and development, the Sectoral Council endorsed the 11th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2025 (EAPCE’25), slated for 5th – 7th March 2025 in Tanzania.
Regarding power connectivity, the region boasts a total power supply installed capacity of 7,381.67 Megawatts, with a total system peak demand of 4,811.2 Megawatts.
Per capita electricity consumption ranges from 25 kilowatt hours in Burundi to 153 kilowatt hours in Kenya.
However, the Ministers noted persistent challenges in electricity supply, particularly due to vandalism of electricity infrastructure.
Partner States pledged to address the issue, with Kenya establishing specialized police units. The EAC Secretariat urged Partner States to implement mitigation measures such as copper-plated earth rods, regulating scrap metal transactions, and community sensitization.
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