Kenya eyes green hydrogen to deepen renewable energy usage

Kenya is looking at deepening its renewable energy use through green hydrogen, which is tipped to hold immense potential in cleaning up industries as well as creating new jobs locally across different sectors.

The country hopes to make use of hydrogen produced using wind, solar and geothermal power plants whenever they are not feeding the national electricity grid.

It will then use hydrogen in the production of fertiliser as well as substituting fossil fuels in industries such as transport, cement and steel production, mining and quarrying and power production.

The Energy Ministry also believes there is a huge opportunity in exporting green hydrogen produced locally to neighbouring countries and other markets looking to decarbonise their industries.

“Green hydrogen is not just a key part of our region’s energy future; it is a catalyst for economic transformation, environmental sustainability and geopolitical cooperation,” said Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.

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The CS, who spoke yesterday when he opened the Eastern Africa Regional Green Hydrogen Symposium, added that green hydrogen offers Kenya a pathway to navigate the drastic changes seen globally.

“Africa is home to some of the richest renewable energy resources; our region has the potential not only to meet our own energy needs but also to become a global hub for energy exports. Green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as green ammonia, offer us a pathway to unlock this potential,” he said.

Mr Wandayi said the government is reviewing its energy policy, and the new framework would emphasise green hydrogen, including partnerships with the private sector in putting up production infrastructure.

Kenya launched its Green Hydrogen strategy in 2023 and in 2024 established guidelines for the development of green hydrogen and its derivatives in the country.

While green hydrogen is still in its nascent stages in Kenya, it has getting traction among development partners including Germany, which said it has availed concessional funding and grants to grow the sector.

German Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth said the country has committed over Sh17 billion to support the development of a 100-megawatt power plant that will be built by KenGen as well as developing a green hydrogen value chain to locally produce fertiliser.