Williamson Tea invests in solar system

The system will reduce the need for grid electricity and the consumption of diesel when back-up energy production is required. This innovative use of solar engineering is only the sixth system of its kind to be built in the world.

Williamson Tea has over 140 years' experience in the art of growing, selecting and blending fine teas. When the national grid is working, Williamson Tea's solar farm will work in parallel with the grid and reduce the amount of grid electricity imported. When the grid is down, the solar power system will work together with the standby diesel generators, significantly reducing the amount of diesel consumed.

A perfect solution

"We applaud Williamson Tea for investing in solar to support the company's sustainable business growth. In a country blessed with plentiful irradiation and land space, solar is a perfect solution and reduces dependence on fossil fuels while improving energy security," Dr Dan Davies, East Africa director of Solarcentury, said.

Solarcentury was selected as the lead designer, supplier and installer of the unique PV system, and is also responsible for the operation and maintenance. A British company and expanding internationally, Solarcentury is committed to bringing the many benefits of solar to Kenya.

"Williamson Tea's solar farm in Changoi is a shining example of the opportunity for solar in Africa, and indeed the emerging markets, to help meet the increasing energy demands of growing economies. Sustainable energy sources are becoming more critical, especially as the cost of fossil fuel energy continues to rise globally," Frans van den Heuvel, Solarcentury CEO, said.