What Kenya Can Learn from Germany’s Energy Shift. Published: 29 August 2025 Article As the climate crisis intensifies, how we produce and consume energy is under growing scrutiny. The energy sector contributes over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with electricity and heat generation as the largest culprits. According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable electrification of end-use sectors could mitigate at least 20% of emissions by 2050 Fredrick Njau
Choices, Challenges and Dilemmas in Tanzania’s Energy System Published: 8 July 2024 Research paper This context paper captures diverse perspectives from a consultation held in Dar es Salaam in December 2023. The paper outlines Tanzania's current energy mix and the energy choices facing its society. It also addresses energy investments aimed at reducing energy poverty and improving the well-being of Tanzanian citizens. Additionally, the paper discusses the consequences of today's energy choices and outlines a research agenda, highlighting key thematic areas and energy topics that require thorough investigation for the Sustainable Energy Futures Tanzania Report.
“EACOP looks more and more like corporate colonialism” – Omar Elmawi Published: 21 July 2022 Interview article Omar Elmawi, the coordinator of the StopEACOP-campaign, spoke to Heinrich-Boell-Foundation's Adrian Amann on why the EACOP is a bad project for Uganda and Tanzania. Elmawi is a lawyer who advocates for climate justice and is renowned for the deCOALonize-campaign in Lamu County and champions for more green and sustainable energy. He lives and works in Nairobi, Kenya. Adrian Amann
Green Hydrogen Published: 23 May 2022 Report Sustainable investment and fair trade Within the energy transition, international trade in green hydrogen and its derivatives will play an important role. But what opportunities and risks does this entail for exporting countries in the global South? What framework is needed to ensure that investments and trade develop from the start with sustainability in mind? The Heinrich Böll Foundation and Bread for the World are exploring these questions in a joint project.
The automotive sector: the transformation of a key industry Published: 14 April 2020 Atlas Three trends will shape the evolution of Germany’s most important industrial sector: electrification, digitization and networking within a new mobility system. Policymakers, manufacturers and customers are beginning to understand this.
Ecomobility: treading lightly Published: 14 April 2020 Atlas People who combine different means of transportation in everyday life can organize their mobility with great efficiency. Ideally, all the building blocks of such a “multimodality” fit together. Philipp Kosok
Drive technology: charging ahead Published: 9 April 2020 Atlas The path going forward is clear: For road vehicles, electricity and alternative fuels will soon replace gasoline and diesel. The climate protection potential of this move is high, but some problems still need to be solved along the way. Dr. Stefanie Groll, Dr. Christine Wörlen
Stories of small scale renewable energy entrepreneurs in Kenya Published: 13 August 2019 New Publication “People and Power: Stories of Small Scale Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs in Kenya” documents 11 renewable energy projects that highlight how decentralised renewable energy is empowering people across the country, and especially in rural areas which rely heavily on biomass energy sources due to the lack of grid connections.
Tribunal halts construction of Amu coal power plant in Kenya Published: 28 June 2019 Article The Government of Kenya has proposed a 1,050 Megawatt (MW) coal plant to be built in Kwasasi, Lamu County, 20km from Lamu Town. The project will be operated by Amu Power on a joint venture by two Kenyan companies, Gulf Energy and Centum. Residents of Lamu County are opposed to the power plant due to the negative economic, environmental, and health impacts it wil have on the ecosystem in Lamu. Building the plant will cause Kenya to be in violation of international treaties and impact Kenya's ability to keep its Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Accord.
Proposed Lamu Coal Plant: The Wrong Choice for Kenya Published: 13 June 2019 Report The Government of Kenya has proposed a 1,050 Megawatt (MW) coal plant to be built in Kwasasi, Lamu County, 20km from Lamu Town. The project will be operated by Amu Power on a joint venture by two Kenyan companies, Gulf Energy and Centum. Residents of Lamu County are opposed to the power plant due to the negative economic, environmental, and health impacts it wil have on the ecosystem in Lamu. Building the plant will cause Kenya to be in violation of international treaties and impact Kenya's ability to keep its Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Accord. Potential affected communities groups have banded together to form the deCOALonize campaign to keep the coal industry out of Kenya.
Anti-Coal Demonstrators in Kenya March to Deliver Demands to Parliament and the President Published: 7 June 2018 Article In commemorating World Environment Day on 5th June 2018, anti-coal activists across Kenya including from Lamu and Kitui held the #CoalNiSumu (Coal is Poison) demonstration in Nairobi, Kenya. About 250 people participated in the peaceful march through the Central Business District. Image credits It was the first anti-coal demonstration in Nairobi, but just the latest action by the deCOALonize movement (www.decoalonize.org). Listen to the latest Podcast (http://www.otherwisepodcast.com/episodes/episode-55-decoalonize/) This Nairobi event follows a peaceful anti-coal demonstration in Lamu two weeks ago, in which two activists were arrested for public assembly and face possible charges.
When Clean Energy Gets Dirty: Experiences from Kenya Published: 19 June 2017 The current discourse on renewable energy tends to centre on the positive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and improved energy security, while the risks of social and environmental injustice are largely ignored.
Unlocking East Africa’s untapped renewable energies potential Published: 19 February 2014 Renewable energies provide great potential for socio-economic development in East Africa. However, in order to successfully compete with often highly subsidised conventional electricity, supportive frameworks are necessary. This regional meeting aimed to stimulate decisions of such regulations.
