Mombasa: Sentrim Hotels and Lodges are increasingly relying on solar energy to power their operations, significantly reducing their dependence on grid-supplied electricity. This move is not only enhancing energy efficiency but also contributing to the fight against climate change and promoting sustainable development across the hospitality sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, Sentrim Hotels and Lodges have installed solar technologies that convert sunlight into electrical energy through photovoltaic panels, which can either be used immediately or stored for later use. Energy experts argue that solar energy provides a more reliable power source compared to the often unpredictable grid electricity, which can also be costly when reliant on diesel generators.
Sentrim Hotels and Lodges, a leading hospitality group in Kenya, operates several properties, including Sentrim Royal Castle Hotel in Mombasa, Sentrim Maasai Mara, Sentrim Amboseli, Sentrim Elementaita, and Sentrim Tsavo lodges. Vinay Vashist, General M
anager of Sentrim Group of Hotels, emphasizes that renewable energy is the most cost-effective solution, promising significant long-term savings. The Mombasa hotel, for instance, now boasts a 200kW/430kWh energy storage system and a 135kW photovoltaic system.
Vashist explains that solar panels facilitate uninterrupted hotel operations by reducing reliance on traditional grid electricity and states that some Sentrim properties generate 100% of their electricity needs from solar power. Plans are underway to connect the remaining hotels to solar electricity, aiming for an effective off-grid power system.
The solar power setup is designed to leverage price differentials, lower costs, and balance load demands, thereby providing a reliable and cost-effective power supply while enhancing environmental sustainability. Embracing solar energy aligns with the hotel’s sustainability goals, boosts its reputation among environmentally conscious guests, and enhances profitability by lowering electricity bills.
Vashist hi
ghlighted that generating electricity on-site makes hotels less vulnerable to disruptions in traditional energy markets, such as price fluctuations or supply shortages. He shared these insights during a ‘Renewable Mini-Grid Solution Sharing Event’ at Sentrim Royal Castle Hotel in Mombasa, which showcased Kenya’s solar future.
The hotel chain has partnered with reputable solar energy providers to install photovoltaic panels, harnessing the abundant sunshine to generate clean energy. Naveen Sharma of VPower Technology Ltd noted that investing in renewable energy leads to substantial long-term savings and significant carbon reduction. The solar sharing event served as a platform for industry networking and discussions on seamless grid integration.
Sharma mentioned that VPower Technologies Ltd collaborates with other industry players like Vestwoods Technology Company and Twiga Solar Technology and Solutions Ltd to shape the future energy landscape. The company is present in several African countries, aiming to
propel the continent toward a sustainable and renewable energy future.
Jacob Song from Veswood Technologies highlighted their efforts to foster partnerships that drive Kenya’s solar revolution, while Charles Kinyanjui from Twiga Technologies emphasized the benefits that tourism establishments reap from solar energy initiatives. They noted Africa’s untapped solar resources and proposed renewable energy as a solution to climate-related challenges.
Winfred Muthuni from Twiga Technologies urged households and businesses to adopt solar panels as a sustainability measure to reduce electricity costs and achieve long-term savings, underlining the continent’s significant untapped solar potential.
