Rubis Energy Kenya has entered the clean energy market through a joint venture deal with Solarise Africa as the oil firm seeks to diversify from its traditional market of fossil fuels.
The two on Wednesday signed the deal creating RUBiSOL, a firm that will sell clean power solutions to commercial and industrial firms in the East African region.
RUBiSOL is seeking to tap into the growing number of businesses notably in Kenya that are opting for alternative power systems due to the unreliability of supplies from Kenya Power.
Rubis is the second biggest oil marketer in Kenya with a market share of 15.56 percent and is banking on the vast footprint and growing popularity of solar power solutions to drive sales through RUBiSOL.
"Expansion of the renewable energy agenda in Africa is a strategic priority for RUBiS Energie. By partnering with Solarise Africa, we are taking a significant step towards a sustainable future,” Olivier Sabrié, Managing Director of Rubis Kenya said on Wednesday.
Solarise Africa, is a pan-African firm that manufactures solar and clean energy systems. It has 79 contracted sites in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa.
The sites have a combined maximum output of 24 Megawatts Peak (MWp).
“Our expertise in decentralised solar and other energy solutions, combined with Rubis's strong market presence, will unlock new possibilities and empower businesses to thrive," Jan Albert Valk, Co-Founder and CEO of Solarise Africa added.
Rubis joins its local rival TotalEnergies Marketing Kenya in the solar solutions market. Total has for the past few years been selling solar power systems, lanterns and lamps that mainly target homes.
Uptake of clean energy, mainly solar, has been on a steady rise in Kenya over the past few years from wealthy households, those far from the national electricity grid and businesses. The popularity is mainly driven by the unreliability of supplies from Kenya Power given the rise in frequencies of blackouts.
Homes and businesses seeking to install solar systems are driven also by the urge for cheaper electricity away from the hustle of high monthly bills. Some 355 manufacturers, contractors and importers took production permits in the 2023/24 year, underscoring the rising demand of solar energy.
Rubis and Solarise Africa did not however disclose the capital injection in creating RUBiSOL, in the move that offers Rubis a chance to drive its interests in the renewable energy space. Rubis, the parent firm of Rubis Energy Kenya bought 80 percent ownership of French energy firm Photosol two years ago.
This (acquisition of Photosol) led to the creation of Rubis Photosol, the subsidiary spearheading the oil firm’s expansion into the clean energy space in Europe.
Besides selling the clean energy solutions, Rubis Energy Kenya says it will also install solar panels on its fuel stations and depots, joining rival firms that are also embracing their own power generation from clean sources.
