Are the capabilities for renewable electrification in place?

Abstract

Improved and sustained access to cleaner electricity remains central on the global development agenda. In this regard, Kenya has set plans for deployment of renewa- bles and a target of achieving universal electricity access by the year 2030. This process of renewable electrification depends not only on finance and technology, but also on the availability of requisite capabilities for deployment and use of the technologies. This chapter seeks to assess which capabilities are already in place and where the shortfalls are across five different renewable energy (RE) technologies and five different steps in the value chain. It focuses on capabilities related to deploy- ment rather than manufacturing of renewable energy technologies. The chapter draws on one of the most comprehensive surveys undertaken in the sector in Kenya to date. It covers 71 firms and organisations involved in renewable electrification projects. The observed capability levels put the RE deployment related capabili- ties in Kenya as relatively high on average but with noticeable bottlenecks. The results also indicate that while management capabilities are generally high, there are a number of areas that need improvement, especially with respect to the abil- ity to identify, assess, negotiate, and finalise terms of financing. The survey results further show that the overall capability levels are highest in the solar photovoltaic (PV) domain. The findings presented in this chapter can help to inform actors and interventions geared towards enhancing renewable electrif ication in Kenya includ- ing directing a new paradigm – from continued dependence on external actors in most steps of the RE value chain to the targeted development of local capabilities.