Unga Farm Care (EA) Ltd, a subsidiary of Unga Group Plc has commissioned a biomass boiler at its manufacturing facility in partnership with Lean Energy Solutions, a leading provider of renewable thermal energy solutions for industrial customers in Kenya, reducing reliance on imported diesel.
The company expects to save the agricultural inputs producer about USD 1 million (KES 129 million) annually in foreign exchange, a major shift toward renewable energy and lower operating costs.
Lower Costs, Greater Efficiency
The investment replaces diesel‑powered thermal energy with renewable biomass, stabilizing energy costs and reducing exposure to fuel price volatility and currency fluctuations that continue to weigh on Kenya’s manufacturing sector. The heating system is projected to cut steam generation costs by approximately 45 percent, positioning energy strategy as a core lever for operational efficiency and margin protection.
“Managing input costs and exposure to foreign exchange volatility has become critical to the long‑term sustainability of manufacturing,” said Eng. Fredrick Kinge, Plant Manager, Unga Farm Care (EA) Ltd.“This transition strengthens cost predictability while reducing reliance on imported fuels, supporting long‑term operational resilience.”
Environmental and Economic Impact
The project eliminates an estimated 1.08 million litres of diesel annually, avoiding about 4,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. It also generates around 50,000 man‑days of employment each year across the biomass value chain, including agricultural waste collection, processing, and transport.
Lean Energy Solutions implemented the project under a renewable thermal energy partnership model designed to lower capital barriers for manufacturers seeking alternatives to fossil fuels.
“Industrial thermal energy is one of the biggest cost centers in manufacturing, yet it is rarely treated as a strategic lever,” said Dinesh Tembhekar, Founder and Managing Director, Lean Energy Solutions. “This project proves that manufacturers can cut costs, reduce forex exposure, and decarbonize at the same time.”
Policy and Industry Support
The commissioning was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Energy, the Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA), and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), reflecting growing policy and industry interest in private‑sector‑led solutions for industrial energy transition.
As manufacturers grapple with rising input costs, fuel price volatility, and sustained foreign exchange pressure, energy strategy is increasingly becoming a core competitiveness issue rather than a back‑office consideration.
For the Unga Farm Care biomass boiler project, Lean Energy Solutions fully invested in the plant, providing end‑to‑end financing, engineering, installation, and commissioning. Under a long‑term partnership model, Lean Energy will operate and maintain the boiler for the next 10 years, enabling Unga Farm Care to access clean, reliable steam without any upfront capital investment.
