Unga Limited is turning to solar energy as part of its strategic plan to advance green growth with sustainable energy and cut production cost by a quarter.

Unga Group chair Isabella Ochola-Wilson, PS Agriculture Kello Harsama and Unga Group MD Joseph Choge
Unga Group chair Isabella Ochola-Wilson, PS Agriculture Kello Harsama and Unga Group MD Joseph Choge

The listed firm is on course to complete its Ksh300 million solar power generation project at its five manufacturing sites in Nairobi, Nakuru and Eldoret.

Speaking ahead of the Africa Climate Summit 2023 that started in Nairobi on September 3, Unga Group managing director Joseph Choge said the firm has adopted solar power solutions as a part of an agenda to advance green growth.

The MD said the firm will save up to Ksh80 million annually on the use of solar and reduce its carbon footprint by 2,454 tonnes of CO2/year.

“At Unga Group, we are deliberately pursuing a green growth agenda by adopting environmentally friendly solutions in all our operating touchpoints. The initial investment is undoubtedly heavy, but we remain focused that the returns will be attractive in the fullness of time as we continue to prioritise climate action as one of our operating pillars,” said Mr Choge.

Mr Choge said the firm continues to embed climate action and sustainability as a crucial part of its business strategy and is, among other things, investing heavily in green projects, including the solar energy project, as a way of diversifying its energy sources and cutting overreliance on the national grid.

He said the solar initiative is part of Unga’s innovative energy programme, which aims to increase the company’s uptake of renewable energy by diversifying the power sources, boosting efficiency, and reducing operational costs.

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