NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 14 – Unga Farm Care EA has commissioned a biomass boiler at its manufacturing plant in partnership with Lean Energy Solutions, a move expected to save the company about $1 million (Sh129 million) annually.
The agricultural inputs manufacturer said the switch from diesel-powered thermal energy to renewable biomass will reduce steam generation costs by about 45 percent and eliminate the use of roughly 1.08 million litres of diesel each year, easing pressure from foreign exchange volatility and global fuel price swings.
“Managing input costs and exposure to foreign exchange volatility has become critical to the long-term sustainability of manufacturing,” said Fredrick Kinge, Plant Manager at Unga Farm Care (EA).
“This transition strengthens cost predictability while reducing reliance on imported fuels.”
Beyond cost savings, the biomass system is projected to cut about 4,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually and create an estimated 50,000 man-days of employment across the biomass value chain, reflecting a broader shift by manufacturers toward alternative energy to protect margins.
