DG Kiptoo to Head Global Clean Energy Promoter Steering Committee

Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Director General Mr. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria will head the 13-member steering committee of the Renewable Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA). The DG will serve a two-year term and represent Kenya as a member of the steering committee. RETA brings together regulatory authorities globally with Africa being represented by Kenya and Cameroon. The nomination gives Kenya first hand access to investment resources and the latest renewable technologies to advance its renewable energy agenda. Globally, Kenya is celebrated for tapping into geothermal, wind, solar and bioenergy that make up to 84.5 percent of its energy production to go all ‘clean’ by 2030. The RETA committee was established to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among energy regulators worldwide and plays a crucial role in navigating the complex landscape of renewable energy adoption

In his remarks, Mr. Kiptoo emphasised the importance of leveraging renewable resources like geothermal energy and battery storage systems, alongside promoting electric mobility across the nation. 

“EPRA is committed to steering the adoption of renewable energy from generation to end-use in Kenya. Through RETA, we can collectively share knowledge and resources to expedite clean energy transition for a sustainable future for all,” Kiptoo stated. 

RETA was launched in 2021 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, a collaborative effort spearheaded by the World Bank and key energy innovators. 

This initiative is part of the broader Green Grids Initiative, aimed at accelerating the development of infrastructure necessary for a global shift to renewable energy. 

The current committee includes representatives from diverse regions, such as ARSEL from Cameroon, ARESEP from Costa Rica, CRE from France, and others from North Macedonia, Thailand, St. Lucia, Canada, and Great Britain. Permanent members include the World Bank, International Renewable Energy Agency, and the International Energy Agency. 

Kenya has heavily invested in its transition to renewable energy with the period 2023/24 registering 84.93 percent of energy supplied to Kenya’s national grid being obtained from renewable energy sources. 

Geothermal energy maintained its dominance, meeting 44.55 percent of the total energy generation with hydro and wind generation accounting for 22.54 percent and 14.30 percent, respectively. Additionally, utility-scale solar generation contributed 3.54 percent to the country’s overall energy needs.

RETA’s priority areas are promoting flexible, renewable based systems, regulatory frameworks to deliver the energy transition, network planning for wide scale electrification, regional interconnection and fair and inclusive energy transition.