RENEWABLE ENERGY MAJOR FOCUS FOR EAC STATES

 RENEWABLE ENERGY MAJOR FOCUS FOR EAC STATES

BY GRACE MACHA IN ARUSHA

Renewable energy sources will be a major focus of the sector development in East Africa.

Ministers responsible for energy said the shift to renewables would reduce fossil fuel challenges in the region. 

Renewable energies on priority for exploitation include wind, solar and geothermal resources. 

"They have great potential as sustainable energy sources for the region", the ministers resolved in their recent meeting here.

The EAC partner states have embarked on reviewing  existing laws on renewable energy development. 

Governments are also reviewing the implementation status of energy regulations in the region.

The Ministerial Session of the 16th Sectoral Council on Energy was held at the EAC headquarters a fortnight ago. 

The meeting was informed that investments in wind and solar energy were currently underway.

Tanzania, the second largest economy in the region, has lately increased investments in solar energy projects. 

Uganda, on the other hand, has focused on solar energy deployment for rural electrification as is the case with Rwanda.

Burundi and Kenya have also made similar investments, all aimed at increasing renewable energy contributions to the national grids.

The EAC partner states were also exploring mini-hydro projects and transforming biomass energy sources with initiatives ranging from promoting sustainable charcoal production to implementing clean cooking solutions and bioenergy strategies.

The ministers noted the updates on ongoing fossil fuel projects and underscored the region's commitment to fossil fuel sub-sector development.

Notable progress includes Kenya's commercial oil discovery in the South Lokichar basin within the Tertiary rift basin with an estimated 2.9 billion barrels and a recoverable estimate of 585 million barrels.

Other updates were on Tanzania's preparations for the 5th licensing round of oil and natural gas exploration blocks on both onshore and offshore areas. 

The meeting was also briefed on the progress of construction of the East African Crude Pipeline (EACOP) scheduled to start in May this year.

It was agreed that Tanzania would host the 11th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2025 (EAPCE'25) next year.