Kenya Power To Install 6 Electric Vehicle Chargers At JKIA

The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi is set to be a big beneficiary of Kenya Power's plan to install 45 electric vehicle (EV) chargers countrywide in the next year.

In a statement on Monday, May 5, the monopoly power firm revealed that six of the EV chargers will be domiciled at the country's largest airport.

"Out of the 45 EV chargers, six will be located at strategic locations within the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. So far, Kenya Power has installed 3 EV chargers within Nairobi," stated Kenya Power in part.

This is part of the utility firm's robust plan to put up the 45 chargers across six counties within the year. They include Nairobi, Nyeri, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa and Taita Taveta counties.

Kenya Power showcases a charging port at Stima Plaza, Nairobi on April 22, 2024. /KENYA POWER

"Kenya Power is committed to enabling the country's transition to electric mobility to catalyse the reduction of carbon emissions.

"Part of our plan is to create an enabling environment for players within the e-mobility ecosystem through the provision of adequate power supply and the requisite infrastructure, such as charging stations, that will enable motorists to travel with ease," said Kenya Power's Managing Director & CEO, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror.

He was speaking during the opening ceremony for the 3rd Annual E-mobility Conference and Expo that the company organised in collaboration with GIZ and the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK).

Official statistics indicate that the transport sector accounts for about 23 percent of global carbon emissions. The Government of Kenya has committed to a 32 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030.

"To support this initiative, we are working together with the private sector players to identify the energy and infrastructure needs within the e-mobility space to inform the deployment of the right strategies that will accelerate EV adoption in Kenya," said Dr. (Eng.) Siror.

Currently, there are approximately 9,047 EVs registered in the country compared to 2,694 and 5,294 that were registered in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

The growth of E-mobility has been spurred by various initiatives that have been undertaken to create an enabling environment, including the introduction of the E-mobility tariff in the current electricity tariff control period.

"We appreciate the immense support that we have received from the Government of Kenya towards driving the uptake of E-mobility.

"Our focus is to work closely with the Government of Kenya to advocate for policies that will continue to incentivise EV adoption, such as tax exemptions and subsidies for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure," said Kenya Power's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Joy Brenda Masinde.