Total Kenya has connected 107 of its service stations to solar energy, making it one of the biggest firms to significantly reduce its reliance on Kenya Power.
Solar is by far the biggest beneficiary of KP’s self-inflicted problems, as
Manufacturers, county governments and individual power consumers take steps to end their reliance on the giant electricity provider.
The firm says it has installed some 3,390 solar panels and is planning to have an additional 41 stations migrate to solar energy by next year.
“The solar energy powers lights, pumps, fridges, air conditioning and coffee machines, reducing reliance on the grid,” Total Kenya said in a tweet.
The firm says the move is part of efforts to align its operations with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal number 7, which focuses on the provision of sustainable, affordable, reliable and modern energy for all.
“Total remains committed to the global ambition to be CO2 emissNet-Zero Zero by 2050. This is a step in the right direction as a broad energy major. And the solarisation of our network of stations is part of our contribution to this great objective,” the firm noted.
The energy dealer began this campaign towards the end of 2018, and for the past two years has been mounting solar panels on the rooftops of its buildings and convenience stores.
Kenya Power owns and operates most of the electricity transmission and distribution system in the country and sells electricity to more than 7.5 million Kenyan households and companies.
Many companies and people are switching to solar power a move that could grind operations to a painful cessation.
Due to constant outages and dragging in restoring power, grossly inflated electricity bills and taking ages to connect potential clients to the national grid this has made many companies to seek the solar option not to stay in the blackout.
By Christabel Airo
