Coastal Bottlers in Mombasa, Kenya are now using solar energy to power their PET production line. Source: Camco.
Sustainable energy developer Safi Power has completed a 400kWp rooftop solar PV installation at the Coastal Bottlers plant in Mombasa, Kenya.
The project, funded by Spark Energy Services (Spark), is expected to generate c.600MWh of renewable energy a year. This should lead to more than 8,000 tonnes of avoided greenhouse gas emissions over the project’s lifetime and a like-for-like reduction in the company’s power costs of over 25%.
The solar energy also helps the soft drinks bottler clean up its PET production line (for plastic bottles) with a cleaner source or energy.
The installation is the second of three phases of the project. The first phase – commissioned in August 2020 – was the transition of Coastal Bottlers’ administrative block and wastewater treatment plant to solar power. That enabling the company to avoid 6,720 tons of CO2 emissions.
This latest phase is for Coastal Bottlers to use Nairobi-based Safi Power to identify and implement an on-site power generation solution at its premises near Mombasa to reduce carbon emissions and streamline operating costs.
Seth Adu-Baah, CEO of Coastal Bottlers, which has been operating in Kenya for 60 years, called the solar panels on the roof a “significant milestone” for the company as it tries to reduce its carbon footprint.
“This second phase of the project, commissioned in October 2022, now adds our PET line, delivering even more combined impact. Transitioning a whole production line to solar energy brings us closer to achieving our ambitious goals to contribute solutions to climate change. We remain committed to doing business the right way to create a more sustainable and better-shared future in people’s lives, our communities and the planet,” said Adu-Baah.
Source: Camco.
Kenyan C&I sector as engine for economic growth
The project was enabled by Safi Power entering into a financing agreement with energy finance platform Spark, which supports energy efficiency and captive solar projects in the Sub-Sahara Africa C&I sector.
Spark provides development partners with 100% upfront financing to install on-site renewable energy and energy efficient equipment for Kenyan C&I businesses. Thus Kenyan C&I businesses become an engine for economic growth as they are enabled to access clean, reliable an affordable energy solution that are replicable, scalable and increase the provision of highly-skilled jobs in the region.
Camco’s Adam Fitzwilliam, who heads up Spark, said they are thrilled to work with Safi Power on financing their sustainable energy pipeline. “Supporting businesses such as Coastal Bottlers on their path to net zero is exactly why we initially established Spark, and we look forward to continued dialogue with Coastal Bottlers to help them become a regional leader in sustainability by further reducing their energy consumption and costs,” said Fitzwilliam.
Earlier this year, Safi Power completed a 90kWp solar rooftop installation with Spark funding at a paper manufacturing plant in Jula’s industrial area, near Nairobi.
David Kinyua, co-founder of Safi Power, said: ‘It’s been a rewarding relationship working with Camco’s Spark team, as off-balance sheet funding has been a challenge through the traditional commercial lending approach. Camco also brings international experience, especially on ESG reporting, which has helped Safi Power ensure its execution complies with best practice.”
