Ethiopia-Kenya: electricity exports to double to 400 MW in December

Ethiopia plans to double its electricity exports to Kenya starting in December 2026, increasing deliveries from 200 to 400 MW. Ethiopian Electric Power announced on Wednesday, September 16, that technical preparations are entering their final phase ahead of the increase in flows between the two networks.

A joint technical committee is overseeing tests and verifications aimed at maintaining the stability of the interconnection. According to Capital Ethiopia, the new arrangement will allow Kenya to import up to 400 MW during peak periods, compared to the current 200 MW, with a reduced level of 150 MW during lower demand periods.

The Ethiopian operator also supplies 100 MW to Tanzania as part of a pilot phase. Regular sales are expected to begin after improvements are completed on the infrastructure connecting the networks of Kenya and Tanzania, while Addis Ababa is developing new lines and substations to enhance its cross-border exchanges.

The announced increase comes as East African countries seek to intensify their electricity exchanges. In June, the World Bank approved a $1.6 billion regional program over ten years to strengthen interconnections, support electricity markets, and improve supply reliability.

The RETRADE-EA program is specifically designed to support the development of the regional market of the Eastern Africa Power Pool. The World Bank aims for over 5,000 GWh of cross-border electricity exchanges per year in the region by 2031.