Kesses: In a move towards a sustainable future, Moi University has deepened its partnership with Kenyan engineering firm Afriwatt to launch phase two of its solar energy project. The initiative aims to reduce the university's electricity costs, support climate action, and enhance training and research opportunities for students.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project is a crucial part of the institution's recovery plan amid ongoing financial constraints. Prof. Kiplagat Kotut, Acting Vice-Chancellor, expressed full support for the initiative during the launch at the main campus. The project will scale from kilowatts to megawatts in sustainable energy production, with plans to develop a 30 MW renewable energy park to supply clean energy for campus operations and potentially feed excess power into the national grid. This development is expected to benefit both the university and the surrounding community.
Prof. Kotut emphasized the importance of partnerships with development and research institutions to foster renewable energy adoption and support climate change mitigation. He also encouraged Afriwatt to provide internships and practical training to engineering students to enhance their technical skills.
Thomas Cheruiyot, Executive Director of Afriwatt Engineering Ltd., revealed that the project has already generated 23.12 megawatts, aiming to increase power savings from 11.12% to 32.3% and reduce dependence on the national grid by 36.9%. The goal is to produce 5 megawatts of solar power to decarbonize university buildings, significantly decreasing electricity costs. The 57.1 kW solar PV grid-tie installation, costing Sh 4.2 million, will power the university's administration block and other structures. Excess solar energy will be used to produce green hydrogen for storage or commercialization.
Upon completion of Phase Two, the university plans to build a facility for hydrogen processing and ammonia production for green fertilizer, processes that require sustainable power sources for effective research and talent development. The solar energy project is part of the broader MUREPHAR initiative, launched in September 2024, focusing on renewable energy innovation and green hydrogen, ammonia, and fertilizer research.
Cheruiyot noted that the project will also improve e-learning infrastructure and ensure the continuity of academic activities during power outages. This solar launch coincides with the university's issuance of redundancy notices to 892 teaching staff due to economic challenges, though the Employment and Labour Relations Court has temporarily halted the layoffs following a petition by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU).