Kenya is shutting down parts of its geothermal energy plants in the middle of the night, even as it buys more electricity from Ethiopia, Tanzania.  

New data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) shows that Kenya switched off more than 511 GWh of geothermal power between July and December 2024 — a sharp rise from the 236 GWh during the same period the year before. 

This increase, according to the regulator, is due to a mix of low nighttime demand and a jump in cheaper electricity imports. 

“During the review period, 511.72 GWh of geothermal energy was curtailed,” EPRA says in its newly released report. 

“This is a significant increase by 116.3 per cent from the 236.21 GWh curtailed in a similar period last financial year. The increase… can be largely attributed to increased energy imports during the period.” 

Kenya now imports over 10 per cent of its electricity from neighbouring countries, up from just 6 per cent a year earlier.  

A big chunk of this imported power comes from Ethiopia, after the two countries signed a commercial agreement to share power across the border. The imports began full commercial operations during this period. 

In addition to Ethiopia, energy exchange with Tanzania also began in December 2024 after the new 400-kilovolt line between Isinya and Singida was energised. Although full operations with Tanzania are still pending, the connection marks another milestone in the East African electricity trade market.

While regional power trade is often seen as a positive step toward greater stability and affordability, the hidden cost is now coming to light: Kenya is being forced to temporarily shut down parts of its own clean energy plants, especially at night, when demand is low. 

This affects geothermal plants the most, which are designed to run continuously and are located mostly in the Rift Valley.

Wind farms were spared this time due to low wind speeds, but EPRA warns that as imports continue, more local power plants could face shutdowns.  

“No wind energy was curtailed during the period under review, as none of the wind plants met the Deemed Generated Energy thresholds, largely due to low wind speeds,” EPRA added. 

The energy regulator noted that shutting down power plants when demand is low helps maintain grid stability, especially during the hours between midnight and 4 am.

But such shutdowns can raise questions about long-term investment plans, especially for power producers and investors in geothermal energy. 

Kenya’s total electricity generation increased slightly by just over six per cent in the review period.

Yet geothermal energy’s share of the mix actually dropped, from 44 per cent to just under 40 per cent, partly due to these shutdowns and the temporary closure of the Olkaria I geothermal unit for rehabilitation. 

Geothermal power is Kenya’s largest and most reliable energy source, providing nearly 2,900 GWh of electricity during the six-month period. It is followed by hydroelectric power and wind. 

The report comes at a time when Kenya is under pressure to lower electricity costs for households and industries.

Imported power, especially from Ethiopia, is seen as a cheaper option and has helped slow down fuel charges on monthly bills.

However, experts warn that over-reliance on foreign power could hurt local producers in the long run. 

The government is also encouraging energy exports to countries like Uganda and Tanzania under the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), which aims to connect the continent’s grids and boost cross-border trade. 

The Ethiopia-Kenya power interconnection project involves a 1,045 km, 500 kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line connecting the power grids of Ethiopia and Kenya.  

This project, also known as the Eastern Electricity Highway Project, aims to facilitate power trade and enhance energy security for both nations, with a transfer capacity of 2,000 MW.