| Work Detail |
In southwestern Uganda, GRIPS Energy and Igara Growers Tea Factory Ltd. marked the successful completion of two solar projects with a celebration attended by key guests from both the business and government sectors. The projects include two ground-mounted solar plants, one with a capacity of 499 kWp and the other with 425 kWp. These solar plants will help approximately 7,000 smallholder tea farmers lower their electricity costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
Engineer Zaali, Factories Engineer, stated, “We partnered with GRIPS Energy because we could not have managed the investment cost for these plants ourselves. They have handled 100% of finance and construction and they are now looking after system maintenance. We look forward to our continued partnership with GRIPS Energy, because we hope to expand our factories, and GRIPS will help us to install more green energy.”
Andrew Kasule, Sales Manager of GRIPS Energy Uganda, said in a statement, “Our approach of teaming up with our customer Igara Growers Tea Factory, our Ugandan installation partner and the engineering experts from our German head office to form a tripartite, close-knit project team right from the start has once again proved its worth. As their long-term partner, we will stay by the side of Igara Tea Growers and warrant for full performance, service and maintenance throughout the 20-year contract for both solar plants.”
GRIPS Energy managed every aspect of the solar projects for Igara Growers Tea Factory Ltd., offering a complete service from feasibility studies and plant design to financing, installation, and commissioning. Now that the solar plants are operational, GRIPS oversees their maintenance and operations with the help of a local engineering partner.
Timon Herzog, Managing Director of GRIPS Energy, expressed excitement about supporting the economic growth and energy stability of Ugandan tea producers. He emphasized that by reducing energy costs, the projects help improve profitability, ensure reliable power, and support uninterrupted operations, highlighting the commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development.
Igara Growers Tea Factory Ltd. owns two tea processing factories—Igara Tea Factory and Buhweju Tea Factory—which are operated by 7,000 smallholder farmers. These factories produce 10% of Uganda’s total tea from 28 factories across the country, making it the largest smallholder tea factory company in Uganda.
GRIPS Energy helps companies in Africa transition to affordable renewable energy with custom-designed, fully financed power systems. As both an investor and contractor, GRIPS delivers reliable solutions that cut energy costs, provide stable power, and reduce CO2 emissions. By working with local EPCs, GRIPS handles all project phases and ongoing operations, allowing customers to focus on their growth while ensuring their energy needs are met.
The RES Uganda project helps GRIPS Energy with communication and marketing efforts in East Africa. This initiative is backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action through the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme, part of the German Energy Solutions Initiative. |
