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An Analysis of the Techno-Economic, Socio-Technical and Political Perspectives of Kenya’s Energy Transition

Received: 9 November 2023    Accepted: 24 November 2023    Published: 5 December 2023
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Abstract

Efficient energy supply is critical for Kenya's socioeconomic development as it strives to meet national and global development targets. Despite its vast energy resources potential, Kenya faces challenges in providing access to modern energy sources. Achieving sufficient energy for socio-economic development requires transition in energy systems. Using multi-level perspective (MLP) approach, this study explored Kenya's energy transition by analyzing its techno-economic, socio-technical and political dimensions of the transition to understand its energy development trajectory and the potential for economic growth, energy security, and sustainable development. The findings revealed how energy governance and policy structures shape Kenya's transition, with both local and international actors influencing development plans and renewable energy investments. It further showed that Kenya’s national energy transition is driven by the abundance of renewable energy sources, leading to a consistent growth in the electricity sector, facilitated by market-based policy instruments such as feed-in tariffs that attracted private sector investment in renewable energy technologies. This study provides valuable insights into Kenya's energy transition by emphasizing the importance of sustainable development and universal energy access. It underscores the significance of aligning technology, societal acceptance, and institutional support and calls for a balanced approach that incorporates local interests in the energy transition.

Published in American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems (Volume 12, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.epes.20231205.12
Page(s) 83-91
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Energy Transition, Techno-Economic, Socio-Technical, Political Perspectives, Multi-Level Perspective, Energy Governance

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  • APA Style

    Lemi, L. D. M. (2023). An Analysis of the Techno-Economic, Socio-Technical and Political Perspectives of Kenya’s Energy Transition. American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 12(5), 83-91. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.epes.20231205.12

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    ACS Style

    Lemi, L. D. M. An Analysis of the Techno-Economic, Socio-Technical and Political Perspectives of Kenya’s Energy Transition. Am. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst. 2023, 12(5), 83-91. doi: 10.11648/j.epes.20231205.12

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    AMA Style

    Lemi LDM. An Analysis of the Techno-Economic, Socio-Technical and Political Perspectives of Kenya’s Energy Transition. Am J Electr Power Energy Syst. 2023;12(5):83-91. doi: 10.11648/j.epes.20231205.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.epes.20231205.12,
      author = {Ladu David Morris Lemi},
      title = {An Analysis of the Techno-Economic, Socio-Technical and Political Perspectives of Kenya’s Energy Transition},
      journal = {American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems},
      volume = {12},
      number = {5},
      pages = {83-91},
      doi = {10.11648/j.epes.20231205.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.epes.20231205.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.epes.20231205.12},
      abstract = {Efficient energy supply is critical for Kenya's socioeconomic development as it strives to meet national and global development targets. Despite its vast energy resources potential, Kenya faces challenges in providing access to modern energy sources. Achieving sufficient energy for socio-economic development requires transition in energy systems. Using multi-level perspective (MLP) approach, this study explored Kenya's energy transition by analyzing its techno-economic, socio-technical and political dimensions of the transition to understand its energy development trajectory and the potential for economic growth, energy security, and sustainable development. The findings revealed how energy governance and policy structures shape Kenya's transition, with both local and international actors influencing development plans and renewable energy investments. It further showed that Kenya’s national energy transition is driven by the abundance of renewable energy sources, leading to a consistent growth in the electricity sector, facilitated by market-based policy instruments such as feed-in tariffs that attracted private sector investment in renewable energy technologies. This study provides valuable insights into Kenya's energy transition by emphasizing the importance of sustainable development and universal energy access. It underscores the significance of aligning technology, societal acceptance, and institutional support and calls for a balanced approach that incorporates local interests in the energy transition.
    },
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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    T1  - An Analysis of the Techno-Economic, Socio-Technical and Political Perspectives of Kenya’s Energy Transition
    AU  - Ladu David Morris Lemi
    Y1  - 2023/12/05
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.epes.20231205.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.epes.20231205.12
    T2  - American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems
    JF  - American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems
    JO  - American Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2326-9200
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    AB  - Efficient energy supply is critical for Kenya's socioeconomic development as it strives to meet national and global development targets. Despite its vast energy resources potential, Kenya faces challenges in providing access to modern energy sources. Achieving sufficient energy for socio-economic development requires transition in energy systems. Using multi-level perspective (MLP) approach, this study explored Kenya's energy transition by analyzing its techno-economic, socio-technical and political dimensions of the transition to understand its energy development trajectory and the potential for economic growth, energy security, and sustainable development. The findings revealed how energy governance and policy structures shape Kenya's transition, with both local and international actors influencing development plans and renewable energy investments. It further showed that Kenya’s national energy transition is driven by the abundance of renewable energy sources, leading to a consistent growth in the electricity sector, facilitated by market-based policy instruments such as feed-in tariffs that attracted private sector investment in renewable energy technologies. This study provides valuable insights into Kenya's energy transition by emphasizing the importance of sustainable development and universal energy access. It underscores the significance of aligning technology, societal acceptance, and institutional support and calls for a balanced approach that incorporates local interests in the energy transition.
    
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  • School of Applied and Industrial Sciences, University of Juba, Juba, South Sudan

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