Renewable energy and energy efficiency status report 2016: East African community

This first edition of the East African Community (EAC) Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Status Report, presents a comprehensive regional perspective on the current status of renewable energy and energy efficiency markets as well as industrial development trends in the region. The East African Community faces significant energy challenges. The region needs, amongst other actions, to: increase access to modern energy services, especially in rural areas; ensure energy security; address the human health and environmental challenges associated with the current energy systems; and develop its electricity infrastructure, especially harnessing locally available renewable energy resources to meet rising demand for energy. The region’s high reliance on traditional biomass coupled with national electrification less than 25% and the rapid growth of motorised transport have important implications for regional energy planning and investment. Climate change impacts are already negatively affecting existing energy systems (particularly hydro power) and thereby the region's economy. The EAC recognises that regional integration is central to rapid economic growth. Addressing the existing challenges of energy access for industrial development, and creating new opportunities for clean and efficient energy services are key actions that underpin this growth. This is captured in various regional policy documents, including the Regional Strategy on Scaling Up Access to Modern Energy Services, the Regional Power Masterplan, and the EAC 2050 Vision document. Against this background EAC sectoral council on Energy and the council of Ministers directed the EAC Secretariat to establish the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) , which was launched on 11 June 2016. EACREEE will contribute to the development of a regional renewable energy and energy efficiency market by addressing gaps related to policies and regulations, capacity building, technology co-operation and promoting partnerships and investments. The EAC Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Status Report contributes to this process by providing a comprehensive overview of the status of renewable energy and energy efficiency markets, industry, policy and regulatory frameworks, and investment activities in the region. It draws on information from national and regional sources to present the most upto-date data on renewable energy and energy efficiency. It contributes to understanding the region’s emerging renewable energy industry, market development and is critical to realising the region’s potential and scaling up investment opportunities.