President William Ruto has revealed that Kenya intends to attain 100 percent clean energy by 2030.
President Ruto who officially opened the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Monday, September 4 challenged African countries to unlock renewable resources in various parts of the continent.
“Kenya serves as a good example of what is possible. Our national grid currently operates at 3 Giga Watts, with 92% of that power being renewable,” Ruto stated.
In addition, President Ruto said Kenya plans to expand its national grid from 3 Giga Watts to 100 Giga Watts by 2040.
“Our ambition is audacious yet achievable 100% renewable by 2030 and a 100 Giga Watt grid, entirely renewable, by 2040,” he stated.
Also Read: I am Former Prime Minister – Raila Rants After Being Blocked
Moreover, President Ruto noted that renewable energy resources are an ultimate catalyst of radical socio-economic prosperity as well as an environmental necessity.
According to the Head of State, clean energy can fuel sustainable development, drive economic growth, create jobs, and uplift millions from energy poverty—all while reducing carbon footprint, continentally and globally.
Africa Has the Potential of Becoming a Green Industrial Hub
He further highlighted that Africa has the potential of becoming a green industrial hub that helps other regions achieve their net zero strategies by 2050.
“Africa can power all energy needs with renewable resources. The continent has enough potential to be entirely self-sufficient with the mix of wind, solar, geothermal, sustainable biomass, and hydropower,” stated the president.
Nonetheless, President Ruto revealed that creation of demand on sufficient scale to provide incentives for appropriate private investment in energy infrastructure development is a major challenge in bridging the investment gap enabling Africa to meet its energy needs.
As such, the head of state noted that the challenge can be addressed by creating sufficient demand to provide incentives for appropriate private investment in energy infrastructure development.
Also Read: Confusion as Africa Climate Summit Kicks Off in Nairobi
“Industrial energy at scale is therefore necessary to anchor energy demand, as a means of tackling the widespread energy poverty still prevalent across the continent,” Ruto explained.
Furthermore, the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) inaugurated by President William Ruto is set to run from September 4 to September 6, 2023.
According to the president, this summit will usher in the Nairobi Declaration, a document that holds the potential to steer Africa towards a path of radical affirmative action in addressing the pressing issues of climate change.
