James Finlay commissions 2.4MWp solar power projects

James Finlay Kenya has commissioned two solar power projects to highlight its commitment to fully transition to carbon-neutral status.

The company, a leading grower and supplier of Kenyan tea, aims to source all its electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and attain a carbon-neutral status by 2040.

The 2.4MWp power plants at Kitumbe and Chomogonday were built and installed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Berkeley Energy Corporate Solutions (BECS).

Both have the potential to supply over 5GWh of electricity per year, which is approximately 17 percent of the company’s total power requirement.

The company currently has five micro-hydro plants with a combined rating of 2.2MW which can supply over 10 GWh per year, a Biogas plant rated at 160 kW able to supply 700 MWh per year, and a steam turbine rated at 500 kW able to supply up to 2 GWh at the extracts factory.

All the company’s heating needs are supplied by solar thermal energy, and burning renewable eucalyptus wood which is all grown on its estates.

With the installation, the company can now supply about 60 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, saving around 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

“This demonstrates the company’s firm commitment to making a positive contribution to environmental recovery and resilience, resulting in an increase in the use of renewable energy as part of its low-impact operations in action,” said the company’s managing director Simeon Hutchinson.

Speaking during the commissioning of the project, Hutchinson expressed their commitment to promoting sustainable practices within the tea industry that contribute to the overall development of renewable energy in the country.

“This acquisition amplifies our commitment to sustainability and is a key milestone in our journey toward a greener future," he said.

"The integration of solar energy into our operations not only accelerates our environmental initiatives but also enhances our ability to positively impact the communities we serve.” 

“Our endeavors in this area align with Kenya's commitment to clean energy and bolsters its efforts to achieve the 100 percent clean energy targets outlined in the global climate action agenda.”

Berkeley Energy Managing Director Luka Buljan on his part vowed to support the company to explore other potential areas of collaboration with Finlays to assist in achieving carbon neutrality.

The solar project is expected to yield considerable financial savings for the company, with an estimated range of $300,000-$400,000 (Sh42 million-Sh56 million) in annual savings.

According to the Green Africa Foundation, 68 percent of Kenya’s population relies on wood fuel and other biomasses as their primary source of energy for agriculture, cooking and other essentials.

This is due to a lack of affordability and constraints in access to reliable grid power, leading to significant deforestation and other detrimental environmental impacts.

The investment in renewable energy projects reaffirms Finlay's commitment to building a sustainable future, aligning its business operations with environmental stewardship.