Photo: John Storr · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Kenya: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Kenya is placed 49th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 85.82 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 91.48 (2024).
Share
Energy
49th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Kenya on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
85.82
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Kenya: 85.82. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 56.83 Malawi
- Land neighbours
- Somalia 530.23 · South Sudan 646.43 · Tanzania 343.89 · Uganda 58.52
91.48
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Kenya: 91.48. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 97.07 Uganda
- Land neighbours
- Somalia 20.93 · South Sudan 1.786 · Tanzania 32.92 · Uganda 97.07
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
52.4
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 77th of 99 by World Energy Council
Kenya: 52.4. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 65.3 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Ethiopia 44.2 · Tanzania 39.9
02Over time
Which way Kenya is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
KenyaWorld median
Kenya fell from 403.25 in 2000 to 85.82 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Kenya World median 2024 85.8 433.7 2023 97.0 452.7 2022 109.3 476.3 2021 95.9 469.0 2020 72.7 482.0 2019 102.7 488.2 2018 119.5 500.4 2017 163.6 506.3 2016 109.0 521.9 2015 104.0 524.8 2014 188.2 522.3 2013 175.6 508.8 2012 180.4 525.4 2011 233.2 521.4 2010 201.3 515.5 2009 290.2 533.6 2008 214.3 517.2 2007 203.9 535.3 2006 273.2 537.5 2005 250.4 521.4 2004 228.1 523.1 2003 156.8 543.1 2002 190.1 551.3 2001 282.3 559.3 2000 403.2 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
KenyaWorld median
Kenya rose from 40.37 in 2000 to 91.48 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Kenya World median 2024 91.48 32.062 2023 89.77 28.000 2022 87.81 28.881 2021 89.82 28.286 2020 93.58 27.125 2019 88.67 26.296 2018 86.28 25.505 2017 80.89 24.023 2016 89.26 22.218 2015 89.81 21.915 2014 76.41 21.151 2013 78.34 21.593 2012 77.48 19.869 2011 69.22 18.584 2010 74.44 18.572 2009 60.61 17.886 2008 72.68 15.923 2007 74.06 15.586 2006 62.85 15.392 2005 66.72 16.438 2004 70.46 16.445 2003 81.93 16.339 2002 76.70 13.826 2001 59.46 14.023 2000 40.37 15.612
03In context
Kenya beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Kenya and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ugandacompare | 3rd | 58.52 | 97.07 | — |
| Kenya | 49th | 85.82 | 91.48 | 52.4 |
 Somalia | 97th | 530.23 | 20.93 | — |
 Tanzaniacompare | =98th | 343.89 | 32.92 | 39.9 |
 South Sudan | 154th | 646.43 | 1.786 | — |
 Ethiopiacompare | not placed | — | — | 44.2 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Kenya in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Kenya is ahead of the world, and behind
26 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median9
Statistics on which Kenya does better than the middle country measured.
RISE Clean Cooking Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 29.7280.6929.72▲ Improved since 2013
Kenya: 80.69 · world median 29.72 · Clean cooking policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 80.69; higher is better.
RISE Electricity Access Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 65.6789.2365.67▲ Improved since 2013
Kenya: 89.23 · world median 65.67 · Electricity access policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 9.471 to 90.47; higher is better.
Position 4th of 56 · derived.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7381.1682.738No real change since 2014
Kenya: 1.168 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3291.4837.32▲ Improved since 2014
Kenya: 91.48 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 19th of 162 · derived.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.210.3763.21No real change since 2014
Kenya: 0.376 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 181st of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2373.8948.23▲ Improved since 2013
Kenya: 73.89 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27921.345.279▲ Improved since 2014
Kenya: 21.34 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7717.6625.77No earlier reading
Kenya: 17.66 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 125th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2642.9333.26▲ Improved since 2013
Kenya: 42.93 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which Kenya does worse than the middle country measured.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10067.1100▲ Improved since 2014
Kenya: 67.1 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10077100▲ Improved since 2014
Kenya: 77 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8560.7124.85No earlier reading
Kenya: 60.71 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Kenya: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end13
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 011.240Moved since 2014
Kenya: 11.24 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 100632.5100No earlier reading
Kenya: 632.5 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2734.5044.273No earlier reading
Kenya: 4.504 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0494.9773.049Moved since 2014
Kenya: 4.977 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.3690.144Moved since 2014
Kenya: 0.369 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8523.3812.85Moved since 2014
Kenya: 23.38 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.0430.077Moved since 2014
Kenya: 0.043 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Kenya: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Kenya: 0 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
Kenya: 0 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58502.585Moved since 2014
Kenya: 0 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5250525No earlier reading
Kenya: 0 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.55.72149.5No real change since 2014
Kenya: 5.721 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
No current reading for Kenya
Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2023). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Kenya’s 16 topics
Energy is Kenya’s 3rd best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade44th of 1772/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability47th of 1864/4 keys
- Energy49th of 1653/3 keys
- Digital & Technology72nd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation82nd of 1764/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 96th of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties106th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 106th of 1834/4 keys
- Peace & Security111th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge137th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour139th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing166th of 2004/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital167th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 165th of 1934/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 158th of 1844/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality141st of 1593/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Kenya can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Uganda3rd2/3 keysThis page
Kenya49th3/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Kenya on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Kenya rank on energy?
Kenya is placed 49th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Kenya?
85.82 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Kenya?
91.48 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Kenya compare with Ethiopia on energy?
Ethiopia is not placed on Energy, holding too few of its key statistics, and Kenya 49th. World Energy Trilemma Index: Ethiopia 44.2, Kenya 52.4.
How have Kenya’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 403.25 in 2000 to 85.82 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 40.37 in 2000 to 91.48 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Kenya?
No current reading is published for Kenya on Primary Schools with Electricity. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 26 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Kenya’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Kenya (banner) — John Storr, CC0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Kenya: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/kenya/energy