Specification of the Eastern Africa Case Studies

Abstract

The report focuses on defining the specifications for East African case studies, i.e., establishing the methodologies, assumptions, and objectives for case studies in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and the broader Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) region. These case studies are designed to guide the planning and development of secure, sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective energy systems; they aim to address critical energy challenges at both national and regional levels. For Ethiopia, the focus is on national and city-level energy system analyses. Kenya and Uganda’s case studies replicate Ethiopia’s approach while tailoring methodologies to their specific needs, such as enhancing renewable energy integration, expanding electrification, and optimizing infrastructure planning. At the regional level, the EAPP case studies will explore cross-border interconnections, trade opportunities, and harmonized policies to maximize resource utilization and improve energy security across member countries. The report outlines the framework and tools to be used in these studies, including GENeSYS-MOD, openTEPES, OnSSET, and GIS-based models. It emphasizes the importance of scenario development, with analyses ranging from Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenarios to high renewable energy integration, climate resilience, and efficiency improvement scenarios. Key modelling assumptions include projections for demand growth, cost trajectories for renewable energy technologies, and hydrological variability. Sensitivity analyses will be employed to address uncertainties in these parameters. By defining detailed specifications, this report lays the groundwork for implementing the case studies and enables the application of the OM4A toolbox in diverse contexts. The results will support regional energy and power systems planning, policy formulation, and investment decisions aimed at achieving universal access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. Through these efforts, the OM4A project seeks to contribute to the sustainable development of energy systems in Eastern Africa while enabling capacity building and knowledge sharing through the OM4A toolbox.