This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
On November 8, 2019, the Kenya Renewable Energy Association (Kerea) met with the National Assembly's Energy, Trade and Environmental Committee to push for the withdrawal of tax on solar energy products. The association had previously lobbied for value-added tax exemptions in 2017 but was unsuccessful.
Kerea Chairman Kamal Gupta emphasized the importance of tax exemption, stating, "It was a truly exciting time for the country as a whole when tax exemption was implemented on solar energy products in 2013." He added, "As an organisation, we were excited because we knew that the use of renewable energy would achieve deeper penetration within the country due to lower costs of solar energy products." However, with the withdrawal of the tax exemption, Mr. Gupta noted that the use of renewable energy continues to be an unachievable dream for many Kenyans.
Mr. Gupta also sought clarification on the importation laws for solar products, citing confusion and individual interpretation. He believed that uniformity in the implementation of the law would greatly benefit the sector.
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It was the second time this year that the association was meeting the committee to lobby for tax exemption.
