EPRA wants Counties to Drive Sustainable Energy Planning under new measures

By Isaac OGANGA

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has called on county governments to take an active role in implementing the Energy (Integrated National Energy Plan) Regulations, 2025.

The regulations, published through Legal Notice No. 83 of 2025, provide a framework to align national and county energy planning in a coordinated, transparent, and sustainable manner.

The call was made during sensitization forums that EPRA is conducting in counties across the country. The forums seek to educate and engage county governments on their central role in developing County Energy Plans (CEPs), which will feed into the broader Integrated National Energy Plan (INEP).

INEP requires that county governments form County Energy Planning Committees that will formulate 10-year county Energy Plans that will be incorporated into the nationwide energy sector plans.

Speaking during one of the sensitization forums in Mombasa County, EPRA’s Director General, Mr. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, said: “Energy is at the heart of Kenya’s economic and social transformation.

For us to achieve universal access, accelerate the uptake of clean energy, and meet our climate goals, countries need to be able to play their part.

These regulations will empower them to plan effectively for their energy needs, align with national strategies, unlock investments, and enable more Kenyans to benefit from reliable and sustainable energy.”

The regulations include county governments in energy planning by requiring the devolved units to develop and publish County Energy Plans that respond to local needs and opportunities, mobilize resources, identify priority energy projects, provide accurate data to support evidence-based planning, and report annually on progress and ensure that there is stakeholder and community engagement on energy projects.

The INEP Regulations apply to the National Government and its entities, county governments and their entities, development partners, private-sector actors, public benefit organisations, and any other stakeholder involved in the identification, planning, implementation, and financing of energy projects, including the provision of energy services.

They address long-standing challenges of fragmented planning, duplication, and misaligned priorities between the national and county levels.

Importantly, they back Kenya’s long-term climate and development goals. By shaping energy planning over 20 years and connecting with Vision 2030 and the Paris Agreement, the INEP gives a stable, strategic view to reach universal clean energy access by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

EPRA has embarked on a Countrywide initiative to sensitize the 47 Counties on the INEP regulations 2025.