The Energy Regulatory Commission of Kenya (ERC) has launched a new portal (www.renewableenergy.go.ke)., whose sole purpose is to provide investment level information and data to potential private investors in Kenya's renewable energy sector.
The lack of access to comprehensive, accurate and reliable information on the renewable energy regulatory landscape in Kenya has been a significant barrier to private sector participation. Types and number of licenses/clearances, application procedures, associated costs, contacts of related government agencies, expected turn-around time and the sequence of application process remains a mystery to many local and international investors interested in the renewable energy subsector in Kenya.
The Energy Regulatory Commission of Kenya (ERC) is constantly working towards improving knowledge and awareness on the existing regulations and institutions governing the energy sector. ERC is a single sector regulatory agency established under section 4(1) of the Energy Act, 2006 and has the mandate to collect and disseminate energy sector related information to the public, investors and the Government Institutions. Towards this end, and in close collaboration with related government agencies and development partners, ERC has now developed the Kenya Renewable Energy Portal (www.renewableenergy.go.ke).
The web-based Portal is a one-stop window providing information on the licensing and regulatory requirements for renewable energy projects development in Kenya. Development of the portal has been a participatory process cognizant of the existing information outlets managed by other government agencies. It is envisioned that the consolidation of these pieces of information will ease the burden of project preparation and reduce transaction costs on the part of Renewable Energy developers. 
The Portal contains information on all the licensing requirements from the different issuing agencies as well as agencies that provide associated information on renewable energy projects and includes prerequisites for application, fees and charges, expected processing time, contact persons and office location, renewable energy electricity tariff structures, status of the renewable energy sector, overview of renewable energy resources, among others.
ERC will work closely with key government agencies involved in the provision of licenses/permits/clearances for renewable energy in Kenya to ensure the Portal has current and accurate information at all times.