The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has been approved by the International Tracking Standard Foundation (I-TRACK Foundation) Board as the local I-REC(E) Issuer.
While making the announcement on Wednesday, January 17, EPRA indicated that the move allows the authority to regulate renewable energy in the country.
This means that the authority will not only be responsible for the economic and technical regulation of the energy and petroleum sectors in Kenya, but also for the technical regulation of renewable energy in the country.
Some of the forms of renewable energy include Solar energy, Wind energy, Biomass energy, and Hydroelectric energy.
“This implies that EPRA will be bestowed with the responsibility of confirming to interested parties that electricity from renewable energy sources has been used in the production of goods and services.
“There is a growing interest worldwide by people and organizations to embrace climate change mitigation measures by purposing to use goods and services produced through use of environmentally sustainable energy sources,” EPRA noted.
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I-TRACK Foundation Details Reasons for Approving EPRA
While giving reason for selecting Kenya for the role, I-TRACK stated that Kenya has the largest, most diversified economy and the second-largest population in East Africa.
Additionally, the foundation noted that Kenya is a signatory to the Paris Agreement and as such has committed to abating GHG emissions by 32% by 2030 compared to the business-as-usual emissions scenario.
“The government of Kenya has prioritized the scaling up of renewables in the country intending to achieve 100% renewable energy generation by 2030.
“To achieve this, various policies and regulatory instruments have been developed to create an enabling environment for the uptake of renewables,” added the statement.
The electricity market structure in Kenya was also lauded for being liberalized with both public and private participants, allowing private generators and distributors into the market.
“Committed to harnessing the 90% renewable energy potential estimated at 10,000MW – geothermal energy (940MW), Hydropower potential is estimated at 9000MW to achieve 100% renewable generation on the national grid by 2030.
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“Located along the equator, Kenya has all-year-round strong solar radiation estimated at 4 – 6 kWh/m2/day and a proven wind energy potential of as high as 346 W/m2,” indicated the report of Kenya’s assessment.
However, EPRA will only be allowed to issue certificates and conduct registrations once it has been finalized as an Issuer.
Regulations on Solar Water Heaters
In January 2023, EPRA gazetted the draft Energy (Solar Water Heater) Regulations 2022 which required all premises to incorporate a provision for solar water heating system installation.
The buildings included in the list were residential houses, education institutions, health centers and commercial buildings such as hotels and restaurants.
“These regulations shall apply to a solar water heating manufacturer, importer, vendor, worker, contractor, and system owner, as well as solar water heating system installations.
“A person who, without a license issued by the Authority undertakes the importation, manufacture, sale, design, installation, commissioning, maintenance or repair of solar water heating system commits an offence,” the regulations read in part.
