Unga Commissions A Biomass Boiler In Partnership With Lean Energy

Unga Farm Care (EA) Ltd has commissioned a biomass boiler at its manufacturing facility in partnership with Lean Energy Solutions, significantly reducing its dependence on imported diesel. The move is expected to save the agricultural inputs producer about USD 1 million (KES 129 million) annually in foreign exchange, marking a major shift toward renewable energy and lower operating costs.

The investment replaces the diesel-powered thermal energy with renewable biomass, enabling the company to stabilize energy costs while reducing exposure to fuel price volatility and currency fluctuations, a growing concern for Kenya’s manufacturing sector.

In addition to forex savings, the sustainable heating system is expected to reduce steam generation costs by approximately 45 per cent, positioning energy strategy as a core lever for operational efficiency and margin protection.

“Managing input costs and exposure to foreign exchange volatility has become critical to the long-term sustainability of manufacturing,” said Eng. Fredrick Kinge, Plant Manager, Unga Farm Care (EA) Ltd. “This transition strengthens cost predictability while reducing reliance on imported fuels, supporting long-term operational resilience.”

The project also delivers measurable environmental and local economic benefits. It eliminates an estimated 1.08 million litres of diesel annually, avoiding approximately 4,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, while generating an estimated 50,000 man-days of employment each year across the biomass value chain, including agricultural waste collection, processing, and transport.

Lean Energy Solutions implemented the project under a renewable thermal energy partnership model designed to lower capital barriers for manufacturers seeking alternatives to fossil fuels.

“Industrial thermal energy is one of the biggest cost centers in manufacturing, yet it is rarely treated as a strategic lever,” said Dinesh Tembhekar, Founder and Managing Director, Lean Energy Solutions. “This project proves that manufacturers can cut costs, reduce forex exposure, and decarbonize at the same time.”

The commissioning was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Energy, the Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA), and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), reflecting growing policy and industry interest in private-sector-led solutions for industrial energy transition.

As manufacturers across Kenya face rising input costs, fuel price volatility, and sustained foreign exchange pressure, energy strategy is increasingly becoming a core competitiveness issue rather than a back-office consideration.

The Unga Farm Care–Lean Energy partnership demonstrates how renewable thermal energy can be deployed to address these challenges, positioning biomass as a practical tool for cost control, forex conservation, and long-term industrial resilience.

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