Within Diageo, KBL continues to hold the first position in energy use efficiency in every litre of beer produced/COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 16 – Kenya Breweries Limited has been ranked among the top 5 global beer sites with regards to delivering efficiencies on water and energy used per litre of beer produced.
KBL Managing Director Jane Karuku said that in the last one year, the company has reduced energy use by 8 percent despite volume growth, enabling the company to save 15 million Kilowatts (KW).
Karuku was speaking at a meeting with the Energy and Water ministries and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM).
The meeting, which involved a visit to KBL’s Tusker brewery in Ruaraka, was set up by KAM in recognition of KBL’s win in this year’s Energy Management Awards.
KBL Corporate Relations Director Eric Kiniti, expressed his pleasure at being considered a benchmark in the industry.
“We are honoured to host industry leaders who think of us as a trendsetter. Our goal is to achieve manufacturing excellence driven by a manufacturing management system that focuses on performance management, standards implementation and capability building. Within Diageo, KBL continues to hold the first position on Energy use efficiency in litre per litre of beer produced.
“KBL commands a huge energy footprint which informs the site on the strategic choices how we use energy and measures to take towards achieve energy use reduction aimed at improving sustainability and the energy cost base,” added Kiniti.
Principal Secretary State Department of Energy Dr. Eng. Joseph Njoroge said that energy is a significant enabler for achieving the Big 4 Agenda especially in the manufacturing sector and that the ministry is committed to providing reliable, quality and sustainable power.
“We have prioritized manufacturing in our Big Four agenda and are committed to support the sector’s grow in an efficient and sustainable manner as well as increase its contribution to GDP to 15 percent, therefore leading to job creation and social economic development. We are also committed to support the sector with policy and regulatory network for an enabling and competitive business environment,” said Njoroge.
“I would like to congratulate KBL for winning this year’s Energy Management Awards and emerging best in water efficiency. I encourage other companies to learn from what KBL has achieved and challenge themselves. We are also grateful for the work that Kenya Association of manufacturers is doing in guiding industries in energy management,” added Dr. Njoroge.
KAM CEO Phyllis Wakiaga said that in order to fully realize the impact of sustainability agenda, sustainable manufacturing will be driven by knowledge sharing between industry players.
“We aim to promote excellence in energy management. Through initiatives such as the annual Energy Management Awards, we have been able to encourage competitiveness in energy efficiency and conservation among manufacturers. It is estimated that industries that have participated in the Energy Management Awards, have a combined energy savings worth Sh13.7 billion over the last 15 years, with the potential cost savings of up to Shs419.5 million. Energy cost and availability have always been central to industrial growth and consequently, sustained economic development for many countries around the world,” said Wakiaga.
“We are grateful to KBL for hosting us and for their willingness to show us how they do it so that we can learn from each other and spread this knowledge to our members to fast track the transition towards sustainable manufacturing. We are at the forefront in identifying industries that are doing their best to keep up with energy efficiency and we give recognition for that,” Wakiaga added.
