Nairobi Kenya – The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has urged industries and manufacturers in Kenya to embrace energy efficiency measures as a practical way of lowering operational costs while sustaining production levels.
Speaking during the inaugural CEOs breakfast meeting on the Energy Management Regulations, 2025, EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria said energy efficiency presents a significant opportunity for businesses to reduce energy consumption while maintaining or even increasing production output.
“Among other things, the Regulations require that facilities conduct comprehensive energy audits once every four years, implement the recommendations and realise at least 50 percent of the projected savings, appoint a licensed energy manager and establish an internal energy management committee. These measures establish strong corporate governance practices that strengthen competitiveness, resilience and ESG performance,” said Bargoria.
According to EPRA, industries remain the largest consumers of energy in the country. The Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report for June–December 2025 shows that the industrial sector consumed 2,924.48 GWh of electricity, representing 49.25 percent of the country’s total energy consumption. This marked a 4.18 percent increase from 2,807.10 GWh recorded during the same period in 2024.
To manage the growing demand for energy, the Energy (Energy Management) Regulations, 2025 were introduced to guide energy management practices in commercial, industrial and institutional facilities that consume more than 180,000 kWh of electrical and thermal energy annually. The regulations aim to promote efficient and sustainable energy consumption across the sectors.
During the meeting, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Energy, Alex Wachira, also encouraged companies to invest in energy-saving technologies and practices.
He noted that adopting energy efficiency measures would enable industries to free up electricity for other consumers through what he described as “virtual power plants.”
“By doing so, industries will free up power, thereby creating what is referred to as virtual power plants. This will lead to huge power savings for the country, allowing electricity to be distributed to more factories, homes and commercial centres without having to invest in new power plants,” Wachira said.
In addition to the Energy Management Regulations, EPRA has also implemented the Energy (Appliances’ Energy Performance and Labelling) Regulations to ensure that electrical appliances manufactured or imported into Kenya meet the country’s Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
The regulations target commonly used appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, lighting equipment and electric motors, with the goal of improving overall energy efficiency and reducing electricity consumption nationwide.
EPRA says the initiatives form part of broader efforts to strengthen Kenya’s energy sustainability while helping businesses lower operational costs and enhance competitiveness in the market.
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