Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating solar energy deployment and integrating energy storage solutions as Intersolar Africa 2026 officially opened on Tuesday at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.
The two-day exhibition has drawn policymakers, investors, developers, manufacturers and clean energy leaders from across Africa and beyond, positioning Nairobi at the centre of regional conversations on renewable energy growth and investment.
In a speech read on his behalf at the opening ceremony, State Department for Energy PS Alex Kamau underscored Kenya’s strategic role in Africa’s renewable energy transition, noting that despite abundant solar resources, grid-connected solar capacity remains underutilised.
“The global energy transition is no longer a future ambition – it is a current necessity. Kenya sits at the heart of Africa’s renewable energy story, yet solar remains significantly under-deployed at utility scale despite our exceptional solar resource,” Kamau said.
He said the country’s next phase of energy transition will focus on expanding capacity and strengthening systems to support reliability and private sector participation.
“The next chapter for Kenya is about scale, integration, and resilience - accelerating grid-connected solar, investing in storage, modernising infrastructure, and crowding in private capital,” he added.
Kenya currently has approximately 210 MW of grid-connected solar, accounting for 6.5 per cent of installed electricity capacity, while broader contributions from mini-grids, solar home systems, and commercial and industrial (C&I) installations exceed 200 MW.
More than 100,000 customers are connected through solar mini-grids, and over two million solar home systems are sold annually, positioning Kenya as one of Africa’s most dynamic decentralised solar markets.
Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, highlighted the growing importance of regulatory certainty and energy storage in supporting higher renewable penetration.
“As electricity demand continues to rise, Kenya must ensure that policies and regulations facilitate investment, efficiency, and innovation in the power sector,” Kiptoo said.
“Energy storage systems are no longer optional. They are essential for balancing demand, strengthening grid reliability, and supporting the continued uptake of renewable energy across the country.”
He added that Kenya is developing regulatory frameworks to support battery energy storage systems, alongside structured procurement mechanisms and grid modernisation initiatives aimed at improving transparency, competitiveness and value for money.
Dr Florian Wessendorf, Managing Director of Solar Promotion International GmbH, said the event was designed to directly respond to Africa’s fast-growing solar and storage markets.
“Intersolar Africa connects global expertise with one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy markets,” Wessendorf said.
“By expanding the event into a full exhibition and conference in Nairobi, we are creating a platform that enables partnerships, investment, and concrete project development across East Africa and beyond.”
Intersolar Africa 2026 features a high-level conference with more than 50 speakers and about 100 exhibiting companies showcasing technologies in photovoltaics, energy storage, grid management and e-mobility.
Organisers say the forum comes at a critical time, with Africa projected to more than double its installed solar capacity by 2028.
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