On 29 November 2021, Kenya and Egypt were the first countries featured in IRENA’s new webinar series on “Long-term Energy Scenarios (LTES) for Developing National Energy Transition Plans in Africa”.
The series builds on IRENA’s Long-Term Energy Scenario (LTES) Network and is delivered in collaboration with GET.transform, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Ministry of Energy of Kenya, and the African Union Commission.
Showcasing Kenya’s energy planning experience was Dr. Grace Njeru, Senior Economist at the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO). She introduced the topic by referencing the country’s 2019 Energy Act which gave Kenya the mandate to produce, in a three-year rotation, an Integrated National Energy Plan (INEP) that includes perspectives for renewable energy development. Sub-energy plans focusing on access, bioenergy, energy efficiency and energy resources are under development and will be gradually included in the planning process. The planning area that is already in full swing concerns electricity. This is captured in the Least Cost Power Development Plan (LCPDP) which provides a 20-year outlook on the electricity sector.
Dr. Njeru explained that the LCPDP is a vital infrastructure development tool to guide the procurement of generation and transmission (alternative – energy) projects. It is also a key policy tool as the LCPDP is developed by a committee comprising all energy sector entities. This approach does not only ensure sound national energy planning expertise but also eases implementation with all institutions working towards a common goal.
Egypt’s energy planning practices were presented by Hala Ramadan, P.h.D., Director of the Economic & Environment Studies Department of Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA). The country’s Energy Strategy predominantly aims to ensure security of supply, sustainability, and to enhance competitive markets. The strategy is updated every two years while scenario inputs are revised as frequently as required by significant changes in technology, fuel prices or regulations. Egypt regularly works with four different scenarios, one of which is focused on renewables. In every iteration, the most competitive scenario is chosen to guide national decision making.
The strategy itself is developed by the Supreme Council for energy which consists of key actors of Egypt’s energy sector. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures concerted efforts and a shared vision sit at the core of the country’s Energy Strategy.
Join the next LTES webinar on 13 December 2021 to access findings from Morocco and Tunisia.
