Africa-Press – Ethiopia. October 1, 2025 2 minutes read Addis Abeba – Ethiopia has emerged as Kenya’s primary source of imported electricity, supplying 83 percent of the country’s total power imports in the year to June 2025, underscoring Addis Abeba’s growing role in regional energy security.
According to Kenya’s Capital FM, Ethiopia supplied 1,274.42 GWh of electricity during the period, far outpacing contributions from Uganda at 225.64 GWh and Tanzania at 33.79 GWh. Overall, Kenya’s electricity imports jumped 27.8 percent compared to the previous year, driven mainly by the Ethiopia–Kenya power import program.
Citing the country’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the report said Ethiopian imports are more cost-effective than domestic thermal generation, saving Kenya an estimated $10 million annually. The imports have also strengthened grid stability, helping the country avert power rationing and blackouts during periods of high demand.
By mid-2025, Kenya’s electricity imports had already reached 751.95 GWh—almost double the 419.13 GWh recorded during the same period in 2024. Monthly inflows peaked at 146.02 GWh in January 2025 and reached a low of 106.01 GWh in July 2024, reflecting seasonal demand fluctuations.
Negotiations are currently underway to expand capacity by an additional 50–100 MW to meet rising domestic demand and further reduce the risk of rationing. The 500 kV Sodo–Moyale–Suswa interconnector, which enables power transfer between Ethiopia and Kenya, is considered a cornerstone of regional energy integration.
Kenyan outlet Business Daily Africa described Ethiopia’s supply as critical in averting a potential energy crisis. “Ethiopia saved Kenya from power rationing and blackouts,” the paper reported, adding that “the share of electricity imports has for the first time crossed the 10 percent mark as Kenya deepens its reliance on neighboring countries.”
During the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Kenyan President William Ruto, who was chief guest’, said his nation is looking to sign a power purchase agreement with Ethiopia based on the dam’s resources, describing it as a “pan-African statement.”
Already an importer of Ethiopian electricity, Ruto said Kenya is seeking to address its domestic power deficit. He added that the dam “exemplifies the scale and ambition of African-led infrastructure and aligns with the African Union’s vision of continental energy connectivity.”
In June 2025 it was reported that Kenya dispatches technical team for 200MW Ethiopian power import. Kenya is set to import an additional 200 MW of hydropower from Ethiopia to address a 283 MW supply shortfall during peak hours, as a technical team from Kenya Power and the Ministry of Energy travels to Addis_Abeba to negotiate an expanded Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). AS
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