Building solutions company, Mabati Rolling Mills (MRM) is set to install 727 kilowatt-peak (kWp) of solar power for its own consumption as part of a strategy to trim energy costs and curb carbon emissions.
A kWp is the amount of power solar panels can deliver in optimal conditions.
GridX Africa Development Limited, which develops and finances solar and renewable energy solutions for commercial and industrial companies across Africa, said the solar power would be installed at MRM premises in Nairobi’s Industrial Area and Athi River, Machakos County.
A solar power system with a capacity of 592kWp would be mounted on the roof at MRM’s facility in Nairobi while a 135kWp one would be installed in Athi River.
“The power generated will be used for their own consumption only.
“The system will reduce MRM’s energy cost and reduce carbon emissions” Patricia Nyadhi, an executive at GridX said.
MRM joins a growing list of manufacturers including Bio Food Products, TotalEnergies Kenya, Maisha Mabati Mills, Simba Cement, Unilever Tea Kenya, British American Tobacco, Africa Logistics Properties, Bidco, and Devyani Food Industries that have shifted to own solar power generation to cut operational costs and lower emissions.
Official records show that the total captive power capacity in Kenya hit a historic 532.6 megawatts in the year to June 2024.
Captive power is electricity generated by firms primarily for own consumption of the owner and not for sale to the public.
The surge in captive solar power units has also attracted more players into the support industry. For example, records show that 355 solar contractors, manufacturers, and importers obtained production permits from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) in the year to June 2024.
Captive power plants operate by generating electricity primarily for the consumption of the owner and not for sale to the public. Total captive power capacity hit a historic 532.6 megawatts in the year to June 2024.
Epra records show that solar photovoltaic and bioenergy are the largest sources of captive power with installed capacities of 229.2 megawatts and 161.8 megawatts respectively. The others are waste heat recovery (83.5 megawatts), hydro (33 megawatts), thermal (21.3 megawatts), and geothermal (3.7 megawatts).