Kenya - Energy and power

In the years immediately following World War II (1939–45), Kenya met the increased demand for electricity mainly through the use of fuel oil to provide thermal power. Since 1950, hydroelectric capacity has been dramatically increased, and new hydroelectric schemes have been developed. Kenya's geothermal resources along the Great Rift Valley have been tapped by a plant near Lake Naivasha. National generation of electricity in 2000 totaled 3.7 million kWh, of which 21.6% was from fossil fuels, 70.4% from hydropower, and the remainder from other renewable sources. Installed capacity in 2001was 934 MW, of which about 75% was hydroelectric. Demand for electricity grew by 5% annually between 1995 and 2000 and is expected to continue rising at the same rate in the near future. Consumption of electricity in 2000 was 4.4 billion kWh. The 140 MW Kiambere Dam on the Tana River was completed in 1987. A hydroelectric plant has been proposed for the Talal River, and a 75 MW diesel plant was planned for a site near Mombasa.

All of Kenya's crude petroleum is imported; petroleum products are refined at Mombasa both for export and for domestic use. Oil prospecting continues along the Indian Ocean coast and offshore, but prospects of a commercially viable strike seem remote after roughly 40 years of exploration.