Bamburi Cement PLC is set to begin construction on two large-scale solar power plants, the company announced Tuesday, marking a significant step toward its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The Kenya-based cement manufacturer has signed agreements with independent power producer MOMNAI Energy Limited to build solar photovoltaic plants with capacities of 14.5 megawatts in Mombasa and 5 megawatts in Athi River. The $20 million projects will supply 30% of Bamburi Cement’s electricity needs.
“This is one of Kenya’s largest commercial solar projects undertaken by a cement company and the first in Sub-Saharan Africa within the Holcim Group,” said Bamburi CEO Mohit Kapoor. “It will result in massive energy cost savings, reducing the business impact of load shedding and significantly contributing to reaching net zero carbon emissions.”
The plants are expected to cut Bamburi’s greenhouse gas emissions substantially by increasing its use of renewable power. Construction will take about one year.
Miriam Ngolo, Bamburi’s strategy and business development director, said the agreement with MOMNAI will “accelerate our decarbonization journey.”
“This strategic partnership with MOMNAI Energy will accelerate our decarbonisation journey and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the use of zero-carbon renewable energy sources,” Ngolo said.
MOMNAI Energy will finance and manage the solar facilities under 20-year agreements, while Bamburi provides land leases at its Mombasa and Nairobi sites.
Bamburi detailed its sustainability efforts in a report this year showing a 3.2% emissions decrease in 2022. It also increased its use of alternative fuels by 5.5%. The new solar project is a major component of Bamburi’s plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
