
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 57th of 193 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).
Energy
57th
of 193 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.
Key 1 of 3
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Ember
Why it is a key: How much greenhouse gas a country's power stations emit for every unit of electricity they produce.
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
85.82
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Kenya: 85.82. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 23.49 (Ethiopia) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 468.81.
- World median
- 468.81
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 23.49 Ethiopia
- Land neighbours
- Ethiopia 23.49 · Somalia 530.23 · South Sudan 646.43 · Tanzania 343.89 · Uganda 58.52
Each grey tick is one of 193 countries in the 2024 edition.
Key 2 of 3
Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Ember
Why it is a key: How much of the electricity a country generates already comes from renewable sources.
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
91.48
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Kenya: 91.48. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 31.14.
- World median
- 31.14
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 100 Ethiopia
- Land neighbours
- Ethiopia 100 · Somalia 20.93 · South Sudan 1.786 · Tanzania 32.92 · Uganda 97.07
Each grey tick is one of 193 countries in the 2024 edition.
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
Why it is a key: How a country's energy system balances security of supply, affordability and environmental impact — three pressures that trade off against one another.
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
Each grey tick is one of 126 countries in the 2023 edition.
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 535.09 to 468.81.
Every year’s figures
Year Kenya World median 2024 85.8 468.81 2023 97.0 483.79 2022 109.3 478.89 2021 95.9 477.79 2020 72.7 493.42 2019 102.7 500.00 2018 119.5 516.24 2017 163.6 532.77 2016 109.0 526.94 2015 104.0 533.89 2014 188.2 525.61 2013 175.6 527.42 2012 180.4 532.82 2011 233.2 533.91 2010 201.3 523.24 2009 290.2 536.89 2008 214.3 529.83 2007 203.9 547.13 2006 273.2 543.43 2005 250.4 540.07 2004 228.1 541.41 2003 156.8 562.29 2002 190.1 551.28 2001 282.3 547.67 2000 403.2 535.09 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 14.98 to 31.14.
Every year’s figures
Year Kenya World median 2024 91.48 31.136 2023 89.77 26.890 2022 87.81 27.359 2021 89.82 24.983 2020 93.58 25.000 2019 88.67 23.341 2018 86.28 22.936 2017 80.89 19.936 2016 89.26 20.000 2015 89.81 18.557 2014 76.41 19.081 2013 78.34 18.562 2012 77.48 16.909 2011 69.22 16.188 2010 74.44 16.875 2009 60.61 15.276 2008 72.68 14.901 2007 74.06 14.229 2006 62.85 14.041 2005 66.72 14.768 2004 70.46 13.794 2003 81.93 13.498 2002 76.70 12.500 2001 59.46 13.889 2000 40.37 14.977
03In context
Kenya beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 193 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Kenya and the countries it borders
The standing is each country’s place among all 193 placed on the topic; the other columns are the publishers’ own values, read at the edition the standing used.
| 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 58.52 | 97.07 | — | |
| 51st | 23.49 | 100 | 44.2 | |
| 57th | 85.82 | 91.48 | 52.4 | |
| 114th | 530.23 | 20.93 | — | |
| 116th | 343.89 | 32.92 | 39.9 | |
| 181st | 646.43 | 1.786 | — |
“—” means the publisher gives no reading for that country in that edition. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed.
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 193.
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
10 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 median6
Statistics on which Kenya does better than the middle country measured.
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 35.6691.4835.66▲ Improved since 2014
Kenya: 91.48 · world median 35.66 · 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 21st of 190 — derived here by ordering the published values, 1st = best. The publisher ranks no country on this.
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 here by ordering the published values, 1st = worst. The publisher ranks no country on this.
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 5.76921.345.769▲ Improved since 2014
Kenya: 21.34 · world median 5.769 · 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.
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 median1
Statistics on which Kenya does worse than the middle country measured.
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.
No better end3
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.
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.
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.
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Kenya’s 15 topics
Energy is Kenya’s 2nd best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first; each marker sits at the position divided by that topic’s field, so fields of different sizes compare fairly.
- Environment & Sustainability45th of 1813/3 keys
- Energy57th of 1933/3 keys
- Digital & Technology71st of 1983/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation82nd of 1764/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 96th of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equality104th of 1834/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties116th of 1983/3 keys
- Peace & Security111th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 111th of 1713/4 keys
- Work & Labour139th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing167th of 2004/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 134th of 1592/2 keys
- Development & Human Capital167th of 1963/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture151st of 1754/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 168th of 1923/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 193, and the leaders Kenya can most readily be measured against.
1Bhutan
Southern Asia
1st of 193 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2Norway
Northern Europe
2nd of 193 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3Uganda
Eastern Africa
3rd of 193 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Uganda3rd2/3 keys
This page
Kenya57th3/3 keys
Positions out of 193 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 57th of 193 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 468.81.
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 31.14.
How does Kenya compare with Ethiopia on energy?
Ethiopia is placed 51st of 193, and Kenya 57th. Carbon Intensity of Electricity: Ethiopia 23.49, Kenya 85.82; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation: Ethiopia 100, Kenya 91.48; 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.
08Keep reading
Explore further
Kenya, topic by topic
- Governance & Institutions=96th of 194
- Economy & Innovation82nd of 176
- Work & Labour139th of 182
- Education & Knowledge=111th of 171
- Health & Wellbeing167th of 200
- Development & Human Capital167th of 196
- Environment & Sustainability45th of 181
- Gender & Equality104th of 183
- Democracy & Civil Liberties116th of 198
- Peace & Security111th of 177
- Risk & Resilience=168th of 192
- Food & Agriculture151st of 175
- Poverty & Inequality=134th of 159
- Digital & Technology71st of 198
- The full Kenya profile
Nearby, on energy
The key statistics, for every country
09Method
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, step by step
A standing is a place in a list, not a mark out of anything. This one is part of the Country Index 2026, and it is worked out like this.
- A few key indicators decide it; the rest are context. 3 indicators on this topic are keys and 10 are charted alongside them without a vote. That split is the point: if every statistic voted, importing five more of one kind would quietly change what the topic is about.
- Each key is read at one edition. ⚠ The keys behind this standing do not all describe the same year — they run from 2023 to 2024, because publishers release on their own schedules. Read the standing as “how this country places now”, not as a snapshot of one year.
- Every country’s published value is turned into a place within that one key’s own field, and then expressed as a share of that field — how far down this key’s list the country sits, rather than how many countries are above it. Keys where a higher published number is worse (terrorism, hunger, disaster risk) are turned round first, so the good end is always the same end.
- Dividing by the field first is the whole reason this works. A place carries the size of its list inside it: 22nd of 44 and 108th of 215 are the same showing, and averaging the numbers 22 and 108 says loudly that they are not. Fields on this site run from about 44 countries to about 215, so averaging raw places would reward a country for happening to be measured in small ones. Dividing each place by its own field removes the size and leaves only the showing.
- The shares are averaged, plainly. One key, one vote — no key is weighted above another, because any weighting would be this site’s opinion presented as a measurement. Countries are then put in order by that average, and the average itself is never published. It is our arithmetic with nothing anchoring it, so printing it would invite it to be read as a measurement somebody made. The position it produces, the band, and the keys it was built from are all published instead — every one of them checkable against the tables on this page.
- A country needs 2 of this topic’s 3 keys — half, rounded up, and never fewer than 2. A standing built from one reading, printed beside one built from four, is two different things sharing a column heading. 193 countries clear the bar here.
- A key has to earn its vote every edition. It must measure at least 120 countries (below that it starts measuring who was surveyed rather than the world), it must not have more than 10% of its field tied at either end, and it must not repeat another key in the same topic — Spearman correlation above 0.92 counts as repeating. A topic needs at least 2 surviving keys to place anyone at all; this one has 3.
- A standing is relative, and the grouping is ours. It says where a country places against the others measured alongside it, so it moves when they move. The publishers listed on this page did not agree to be read together, and each measures its subject its own way: the underlying numbers are theirs, the ordering on top is this site’s — the same method as the rest of the Country Index, applied to one subject instead of all of them.
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 10 statistics on this page come from 5 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