Kefalos, diary giant goes green

A 600kW solar plant installed by Distributed Power Africa (DPA) for Kefalos has helped to transition one of Zimbabwe’s largest dairy producers to a cost-reducing, clean and green energy source of power.

Kefalos manufactures a growing range of dairy products for the Zimbabwean and export markets.

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.

Kefalos’s transition to solar energy will allow them to keep essential operations running at their Bhara Bhara Factory along Mubaira Road.

Cost reduction has become the mantra for businesses the world over and for Zimbabwean-run manufacturing companies, this is a must.

Solar energy reduces manufacturing costs, allowing companies to reduce their energy bill by up to 30% while also reducing their carbon footprint.

Kefalos became a pioneer in the dairy industry when it switched on the DPA-installed solar plant, which provides up to 50% of Kefalos’ energy requirements when the factory is running at full capacity while reducing the company’s carbon footprint significantly. The plant’s annual energy production of 999.6MWh
saves 599,000kg of carbon emissions and saves over 6,200 tonnes annually.

The grid-tied system also allows for the solar plant to supply energy to the national grid when the power demand from the Kefalos factory is below the solar plant’s power output.

 Kefalos Head of Marketing Pam Tairoodza said : “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.”

DPA is the renewable energy business of Cassava Technologies.

DPA CEO Norman Moyo  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: “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.”

The use of generators as backup power is becoming increasingly expensive because of the rising cost of fuel, and many companies are now investing in more economical solar solutions.

Unstable grid power has interrupted operations for many companies, increasing the demand for cleaner and more reliable renewable energy.