HARARE – Kefalos, one of Zimbabwe’s leading dairy producers, established a 600kW solar plant through Distributed Power Africa, which will provide the company with a cost-effective, clean, and green energy source.
The installation of the solar plant will lower the cost bill because cost reduction has become the mantra for businesses all over the world, and solar energy lowers manufacturing costs, allowing enterprises to decrease their energy bill by up to 30% while simultaneously lowering their carbon footprint.
This has not been the case with Zimbabwean-owned manufacturing firms.
Kefalos’ switch to solar energy will allow the company to maintain critical operations at its Bhara Bhara Factory on Mubaira Road.
The company became a dairy sector pioneer by turning on the DPA-installed solar plant, which delivers up to 50% of Kefalos’ energy demand when the production is operating at full capacity while drastically decreasing the company’s carbon impact.
The plant’s yearly energy production of 999.6MWh saves 599,000kg of CO2 emissions and over 6,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions. When the power demand from the Kefalos factory is less than the solar plant’s power output, the grid-tied system permits the solar plant to supply energy to the national grid.
According to Kefalos Head of Marketing Pam Tairoodza: “For dairy companies such as Kefalos, efficient electricity supply is not only essential but critical, as the processing and handling of perishable goods requires 100% power up-time. This investment in green energy has ensured that we minimize the impact of power interruptions, ensuring business continuity every day.”
Kefalos manufactures a growing range of dairy products for the Zimbabwean and export markets and the switch to solar energy will ensure their products are brought to the consumer at minimal damage to the environment, allowing the company to meet its ESG goals and maintain competitiveness on a regional and global scale where consumers are becoming more and more conscious of associating themselves with brands that uphold good manufacturing practices.
DPA is the renewable energy business of Cassava Technologies, Mr Norman Moyo, Chief Executive Officer of DPA, said: “The Kefalos deployment has proven to be one of our most complicated deployments to date as it required close coordination and integration with the ZETDC substation and distribution network. The successful connection to the grid has opened up a significant opportunity for DPA to deliver larger and unique solar-embedded grid-tied solutions beyond 10MW, particularly to large users, mines and factories in the country. I am proud of the dedication of our engineers and the support we received from ZETDC on this landmark project.”
Moyo further commented, that “While the recently announced 600 MW capacity added to the grid by ZESA through Hwange Power Station will greatly stabilise energy supply in Zimbabwe, we expect energy costs to increase. Our customers are keen to increase their solar deployment to deal with adverse energy costs. We are experiencing an increase in demand for grid-tied solar systems from our commercial and industrial users. DPA continues to provide financing for the solar and battery storage on a lease model. This allows customers to better control their escalating energy costs and deploy their capital to their core business.”
Because of the rising cost of fuel, the usage of generators as backup power is becoming increasingly expensive, and many businesses are now investing in more cost-effective solar alternatives. Unstable grid electricity has caused numerous businesses to shut down, boosting the demand for cleaner, more reliable renewable energy.
DPA’s objective is to provide businesses and individuals with inexpensive and efficient green energy via a zero-start-up cost methodology. They design, build, own, manage, and finance solar PV and storage energy generation solutions.
DPA is fully aware of Africa’s power difficulties and the critical relevance of access to reliable power in driving the continent’s digital economy. The company is building end-to-end solutions for consumers through its energy services, which include generating, distribution, energy supply, and ‘wheeling.’ DPA’s solutions reduce our customers’ carbon footprints while increasing cost efficiency and energy resilience in Data Centres, Telecom Towers, and Commercial & Industrial Power (C&I). Cassava Technologies, which also owns three other Pan-African Technology businesses, operates DPA.
