We have moved past the era where renewable energy was viewed merely as a “moral alternative” to fossil fuels but as a commercially viable and increasingly cost-competitive driver of economic growth. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that in 2025, renewable energy accounted for a record 96.8% of all net global power capacity additions. Solar and wind power together drove this expansion and cemented their status as the most affordable sources of electricity globally. In this regard, green energy has become a viable and scalable route for economic growth, especially in Africa.
The Regional Context: Kenya’s Strategic Leadership
According to a recent report by the International Energy Agency, 90% of Kenya’s electricity comes from clean sources, including geothermal (47%), hydro (21%), wind (16%), and solar (4%). This aligns perfectly with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum’s National Energy Policy 2025–2034. The Ministry, through its Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), is actively promoting e-mobility, clean cooking and increased connectivity in off-grid areas. As the Ministry moves to achieve 100% clean energy in the national power system, KCV is proud to be the private-sector bridge that brings these high-level policies to life in communities like Kakuma. This Policy seeks to address the challenges of energy access, affordability, and security whilst promoting clean energy solutions to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and driving green industrialization. With over 25% of the population still lacking electricity access in Kenya, particularly in rural areas, it is crucial that we expand our energy infrastructure and leverage renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy, to provide reliable and affordable energy to all corners of the country. This Policy sets forth bold strategies to ensure universal access to electricity by 2030, optimize the use of Kenya’s vast renewable energy potential and accelerate the uptake of clean cooking technologies among other initiatives. Through strategic investments, partnerships, and innovation, we aim to transform our energy sector to power the economy, improve livelihoods, and ensure environmental sustainability.
Key institutional players are already moving the needle. KenGen (Kenya Electricity Generating Company) continues reassure private investors as they target a 100% green grid. Meanwhile, the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is harnessing Kenya’s status as Africa’s top geothermal producer to provide the “baseload” power that makes intermittent solar and wind viable.]
Case in Point: Sunken Ltd and the Economic Viability of Localized Solutions
Sunken Ltd. is winning at the “last mile” with a “Triple Threat” of productivity, distribution and efficiency while large firms control the grid. In areas like Kakuma and Kalobeyei, the firm is changing lives as a manufacturer and key distributor. 25,000 households have received their locally designed energy efficient cookstoves, which save each family about KES 3,120 a year. Beyond the kitchen, Sunken’s portable irrigation pumps and solar lighting are transforming renewable energy into a tool for food security, enabling smallholder farmers to maintain year-round productivity despite climatic concerns.
This has a profound effect on the local economy, supporting a circular supply chain of locally produced goods and generating and sustaining17 jobs, nearly half of which are held by young people. Sunken Ltd is demonstrating that the Return On Investment of climate resilience is quantified in both carbon saved and lives transformed by fusing technological innovation with community empowerment.
As Sunken strengthens community resilience through forest conservation and improved household health, it proves the economic viability of the sector. Renewable energy is no longer a “niche” investment; it is the infrastructure of the new Kenyan economy.
KCV’s Role: Thought Leadership in Action
Against this global and regional backdrop, the role of investment platforms becomes critical. At Kenya Climate Ventures (KCV), our investment thesis is clear: Climate action is not just about environmental stewardship; it is about capital efficiency, market stability, and localized industrialization. Nowhere is this more evident than in our partnership with Sunken Ltd, a trailblazer proving that renewable solutions can thrive even in the world’s most challenging economic frontiers.
At Kenya Climate Ventures (KCV), our role is to identify these high-potential enterprises and provide the “catalytic capital” they need to scale. We align our goals with the Ministry of Energy’s vision of universal access, but we do it through the lens of private-sector efficiency.
The success of Sunken Ltd demonstrates that when you invest in renewable energy, you aren’t just buying a stove or a pump; you are buying into a future where African communities are self-sufficient, healthy, and economically vibrant. As we look toward the rest of 2026, KCV remains committed to being the bridge between global climate capital and local economic transformation.
Written by Lucy Ndumi
