Kenya Power significantly increased its electricity exports to Tanzania in January 2025, just a month after cross-border electricity trade between the two nations commenced. According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), exports to Tanzania more than tripled, rising from 1.1 million kWh in December 2024 to 3.5 million kWh in January 2025.
Electricity exports to Uganda also saw an increase, growing from 3.3 million kWh to 4.6 million kWh within the same period. Overall, total electricity exports from Kenya surged from 4.5 million kWh in December to 8.1 million kWh in January.
Increase in Domestic Generation and Shifting Import Trends
Kenya’s total electricity sales grew from 882.1 million kWh in December 2024 to 956.8 million kWh in January 2025, supported by an increase in local power generation. Data shows that domestic production rose from 1,059.0 million kWh to 1,085.1 million kWh during the same period.
Geothermal remained the leading energy source, contributing 483.3 million kWh, followed by hydro at 282.7 million kWh in January 2025. Thermal power generation recorded an 11.4 percent increase, rising from 103.4 million kWh in December to 115.2 million kWh in January, while wind energy production grew by 7.7 percent, from 148.0 million kWh to 159.4 million kWh.
Meanwhile, electricity imports from Uganda declined from 18.7 million kWh to 16.8 million kWh, while Ethiopia increased its supply to Kenya, with imports rising from 107.7 million kWh to 124.0 million kWh. Imports from Tanzania saw a sharp rise, growing nearly fourfold from 1.82 million kWh in December to 5.81 million kWh in January.
The increased cross-border electricity trade signals growing regional energy cooperation and a shift towards greater energy reliability and efficiency in the region.