Nyeri: The Archdiocese of Nyeri has commissioned a Sh125 million solar power project that will reduce the reliance of 34 institutions in Mathari on the Kenya Power and Lighting Company by more than 85 percent. The project, dubbed 'Seeds of Hope', has the capacity to produce approximately one megawatt of electricity, featuring a 765.4 Kilowatt-peak solar photovoltaic system and a 783.36 Kilowatt-hour battery storage capacity.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project, located at the Consolata Hospital in Mathari, will significantly reduce the cost of electricity for the institutions, whose current cumulative expenditure stands at an estimated Sh32 million per year. Speaking during the commissioning, the chairman of the technical committee, Engineer Joseph Njoroge, stated that the initiative was driven by the need to reduce energy costs while supporting the church's missionary work. He emphasized that the project will enhance service delivery across the benefitting institutions, which include a medical college, a diagnostic center, a rehabilitation center, and a printing press.
The one-time Energy Principal Secretary noted that the shift to green energy will reduce carbon emissions by nearly 500 tonnes annually, making a significant contribution to combating climate change. Eng Njoroge highlighted, 'This unique project will contribute to de-carbonization by displacing energy that sometimes has harmful emissions. Solar power will be the main source of electricity, therefore reducing about 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to planting 27,000 trees.'
Nyeri Governor, Dr. Mutahi Kahiga, echoed these sentiments, hailing the project as a milestone in improving energy security in the country. The governor noted that Kenya is currently grappling with energy shortages, leading to reliance on power purchases from Ethiopia and Uganda, resulting in high electricity bills and hindering industrialization. Dr. Kahiga suggested that similar clean energy initiatives could alleviate these challenges.
The project was financed by the Archdiocese of Cologne in Germany, with the benefitting institutions expected to clear the cost by 2031. Other partners include Starkmacher Impact and Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Kenya. Nyeri Diocese Catholic Archbishop, Anthony Muheria, described the project as a comprehensive response to climate change and a blueprint for expanding access to clean and affordable energy nationwide.
Director General of the United Nations Office in Nairobi, Zainab Bangura, described the project as a model for sustainable development. She emphasized that beyond providing clean energy, the project will improve healthcare and education provision, support food systems, and allow savings to be invested in other community initiatives. Bangura remarked, 'The project shows that development rooted in values, guided by science, and strengthened by partnership can be both transformative and scalable.'