KENYA OFF GRID SOLAR ACCESS PROJECT (K-OSAP)

The objective of this project funded by the World Bank is to increase access to electricity services in underserved counties in Kenya. The project is intended to achieve the Government’s objective under Vision 2030 which aims to transform Kenya into a newly industrialized middle-income country by providing a quality of life for its citizens. Under Vision 2030, Energy is identified as one of the key sectors that form sectors that form the foundation for sociopolitical and economic growth. Promoting equal opportunities across the entire Kenyan territory and enhancing access to competitively priced, reliable, quality, safe and sustainable energy is essential to the achievement of this vision.

The KOSAP project targets 14 out of the 47 counties in Kenya that have been defined as marginalized by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA). The 14 underserved counties collectively represent 72% of the country’s total land area and 20% of the total population. The 14 counties include; Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Narok, Samburu, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir and West Pokot.

The project development objective is to increase modern energy services in underserved counties of Kenya through the implementation of:

• Mini-grids for community facilities, enterprises, and households

This component will be jointly implemented by REREC and KPLC and will support the electrification of areas where electricity supply through mini-grids represents the least-cost option. The component will be implemented in approximately 120 locations throughout the 14 target counties.

• Stand-alone solar systems and clean cooking solutions for households

This component will be implemented under the direct oversight of the Ministry of Energy under two sub- components:

• STAND-ALONE SOLAR SYSTEMS FOR HOUSE-HOLDS

This sub-component will support off-grid electrification of households in the 14 target counties where a stand-alone solar system is the most appropriate technology to deliver energy services, leveraging Kenya’s unique  off-grid solar market dynamics.

• CLEAN COOKING SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSE-HOLDS

This sub-component will support a transition from low-efficiency baseline stoves to cleaner higher efficiency improved stoves. To accomplish this objective, cleaner household cooking appliances and fuels will be promoted. Activities will begin by focusing on five underserved counties in the northwestern part of the country (West Pokot, Turkana, Isiolo, Samburu & Marsabit)