KWAL Unveils 700kV Solar Plant to Boost Clean Energy and Cut Power Costs
Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL) has commissioned a high-capacity 700kV rooftop solar power plant at its Tatu City manufacturing facility, marking a significant milestone in the company’s clean energy transition and sustainability agenda.
Developed under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and completed after eight months of installation, the solar plant officially came online this week.
The system will supply 15% of KWAL’s annual electricity needs, enabling the company to reduce energy costs by up to 7.5% based on current consumption trends.
KWAL Managing Director Lina Githuka said the investment reflects the company’s broader ambition to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to Kenya’s renewable energy journey.
“This investment reflects our ambition to drive efficiencies, build a more sustainable business and embrace the opportunity to be part of Kenya’s renewable energy transition,” she said.
The solar plant is designed as a hybrid system that powers factory operations using solar energy during the day before switching seamlessly to the national grid at night, ensuring uninterrupted production while maximizing renewable power use.
The project reinforces KWAL’s commitment to green manufacturing. The Tatu City facility is EDGE-certified, a designation by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for buildings that are energy and water efficient. This certification strengthens KWAL’s eligibility for low-interest green financing to support future energy-efficient infrastructure upgrades.
According to Mwenda Kageenu, KWAL’s Director of Supply Chain, the company plans to expand the solar system to 1,500kV in phases to further reduce its carbon footprint and enhance reliance on renewable energy.
The project was executed in partnership with OFGEN Africa, the contracted PPA provider, and the IFC, and has received all necessary approvals from EPRA, Tatu Power, and the Tatu Development Control Company.
KWAL says the new solar plant supports both its sustainability goals and Kenya’s national target of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030.