An assessment of the diffusion of Private Mini-Grids operating in rural Kenya

Abstract

High off-grid market penetration in Kenya is one of the key reasons for the fast electrification rate in the country. Solar home systems are largely deployed in remote areas, but mini-grids (MGs) are still far from exploiting their full potential. This study aims to analyze the technological innovation of privately owned mini-grids operating in remote areas of Kenya. Interactions between actors, institutions, and processes are evaluated using primary data collected from stakeholders active in the sector. Through this analysis, we evaluate whether the innovation system is in place to support the diffusion of private MGs and identify obstacles that block the advancement toward market growth.