PlantmarginKenya's Energy Management Regulations, 2025: what designated facilities must do
The Energy (Energy Management) Regulations, 2025 replaced the 2012 regulations. They apply to facilities that use more than a set amount of energy each year.
Are you designated?
Facilities are grouped by total annual electrical and thermal energy use:
| Category | Annual energy use |
|---|---|
| Low consumers | 102,500–180,000 kWh |
| Medium consumers | 180,001–1,200,000 kWh |
| High consumers | more than 1,200,000 kWh |
Most processing plants are medium or high consumers. Fuel counts: convert it to kWh by its energy content.
What medium and high consumers must do
- Energy audit. At least once every four years, by a licensed energy auditor.
- Energy manager. An accredited energy manager for the facility.
- Report. The audit report goes to EPRA. Failing to submit it can attract a fine of up to KSh 1 million, or imprisonment.
- Implement. Carry out the recommended measures to achieve at least 50% of the projected savings within four years.
Benchmarks
EPRA published energy performance benchmarks in 2024 for seven sectors:
- cement, sugar, tea and dairy;
- flower farms, fast-moving consumer goods and hotels.
Facilities can compare their energy use per unit of output against their sector.
Making it routine rather than a scramble
The regulations reward plants that measure continuously:
- a baseline normalised for production;
- energy performance indicators (kWh and fuel per unit);
- a record of measures with verified savings.
Those are the same building blocks as ISO 50001. Plantmargin keeps them up to date and shows a readiness score clause by clause.
This article summarises the regulations for managers. It is not legal advice; read the Gazette notice and check with EPRA for your facility.