Nairobi, Kenya | October 6, 2026 — Global consumer goods manufacturer Unilever has invested KES 70 million in an 800kW solar power installation at its Nairobi factory as the multinational steps up efforts to reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions.
The solar system, which became operational in June 2026, is expected to provide about 30 per cent of the factory’s electricity needs and save the company roughly KES 30 million annually in energy costs.
The investment forms part of the consumer goods giant’s broader decarbonisation programme aimed at increasing the use of renewable energy across its manufacturing operations while reducing reliance on conventional fuels.
Solar Investment Cuts Factory Emissions By 40%
The solar project, combined with the earlier shift from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to biomass, has contributed to an estimated 40 per cent reduction in the factory’s carbon emissions against a 2023 baseline.
Speaking during the launch on Tuesday morning, Unilever 1UL Supply Chain Head João F. Ribeiro said the investment would strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the Nairobi factory.
“Investments like this make our operations more resilient and more competitive while reducing our reliance on conventional energy. The Nairobi factory is an important part of our manufacturing footprint, and this project shows how local action can contribute to our wider climate ambitions,” Ribeiro said.
Head of Supply Chain, East Africa excluding Ethiopia, Elodie Kouassi, said the solar investment demonstrates how sustainability and business performance can be pursued together.
She said increasing renewable energy use at the Nairobi facility would help reduce operational emissions, manage energy costs and strengthen the resilience of the supply chain.
“This investment demonstrates that sustainability and strong business performance can advance together. By increasing renewable energy use at our Nairobi factory, we are reducing operational emissions, managing energy costs and strengthening the resilience of our supply chain,” said Kouassi.
Company Plans To Expand Solar Capacity
Unilever East Africa Managing Director Luck Ochieng said the company plans to expand its solar investment at the Nairobi factory as it works towards increasing its reliance on renewable energy over the next four years.
Ochieng said the newly installed 800kW solar system currently accounts for about 30 per cent of the factory’s electricity needs, with the remaining 70 per cent supplied through the national grid.
“So, with this investment right now, we are getting 800 kilowatts, which now we are giving back to KPLC in order to be able to consume that and be used elsewhere. But like I said, it’s a fast pace. It accounts for 30% of our electricity needs,” Ochieng said.
He noted that the factory currently operates without backup batteries, with the solar power generated going directly into production.
“Right now, we don’t use backup batteries. We go straight into production. The other 70%, we still use KPLC. And that’s really for the next phase of our investment,” he said.
Ochieng said the company intends to increase its solar capacity to cover a larger share of the factory’s energy requirements, alongside investment in energy storage technologies
“For the solar as well, we want to be able to cover the remaining 17%. At some point, we will have to invest in storage capacity, including batteries and other technologies. That is the direction we have set ourselves, with a target of achieving that within the next four years,” he said.
National Grid To Remain Resilience Measure
Despite the planned expansion of renewable energy, the multinational does not expect to completely eliminate its reliance on the national grid.
Ochieng said the grid could continue serving as a backup source of power to enhance the factory’s resilience, particularly when renewable generation is affected by weather conditions.
“We still envisage a situation where, for resilience purposes, we will have other sources of power. The national grid might still be there as a resilience measure,” Ochieng said.
He said renewable energy generation can be affected by cloudy weather and heavy rains, making the national grid an important component of the factory’s energy resilience even as the company expands its clean-energy investments.
“You can never completely rule out the national grid because of factors such as cloudy weather or heavy rains that may affect renewable energy generation. So, I think we can never completely rule out the national grid, but it would either be as a resilience solution or for other purposes,” he said.
Factory To Accelerate Shift From HFO To Biomass
The project forms part of broader efforts to improve energy efficiency at the Nairobi manufacturing facility while supporting the company’s wider climate ambitions.
The consumer goods manufacturer said it will further accelerate the factory’s decarbonisation by transitioning its hot-air generation system from heavy fuel oil to biomass-based fuels.
The shift is expected to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and deliver further cuts in operational emissions.
The KES 70 million solar investment comes as Kenya continues to expand its renewable energy sector, with private-sector projects contributing to the country’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy.