Empower New Energy and Abyssinia Group Industries Expand Partnership to 9 MWp Solar Power in Kenya

Jateen Patel, CEO, Abyssinia Group of Industries signs the 2,5 MUSD solar project contract with CEO of Empower New Energy, Terje Osmundsen. 

Empower New Energy has been granted the Electricity Generation License from Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) for their 4 MWp solar plant, and is proud to announce the signing of a new 2,5 MUSD solar project contract with Abyssinia Group of Industries, East Africa’s largest steel manufacturer. This last investment is estimated to reduce 3500 tons of CO2 annually, contributing to the 32 % national reduction target set by Kenya as part of the Paris agreement.  

This new 25 -year solar power supply contract with a capacity of 4 MWp add on the three existing contracts of total 5 MWp that Empower New Energy already is supplying to Abyssinia’s steel factory in Awasi, reflecting a strong and growing partnership driving clean energy adoption in the region. Once completed, the total 9 MWp plant in Awasi will produce about 14 GWh of clean electricity per year, reducing reliance on grid power and diesel while saving more than 7000 tons of CO₂ annually.  

Abyssinia Group of Industries (AGI) has grown to become East Africa’s largest steel producer with an annual capacity close to a million metric tons throughout the group, with manufacturing and mining operations spread in East Africa, namely Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.  With this latest solar power contract, Abyssinia takes a further step on its pioneering journey towards becoming 100 % powered by renewable energy. 

Similar to the first three solar investments, the new ground-mounted solar plant will be constructed and operated by Spenomatic, a Nairobi-based leading solar engineering and contracting company.  

“This fourth solar project with Abyssinia Group is a testimony of the mutual benefits of our partnership,” said Terje Osmundsen, Chief Executive Officer of Empower New Energy. “Together, we are building one of the largest industrial solar portfolios in Kenya, improving the environmental performance while supporting the competitiveness of a leading manufacturer”. 

Jateen Patel, Chief Executive Officer of  Abyssinia Group of Industries, commented, “This forth investment by Empower New Energy reflects the trust and results we have built together over time. Reliable and affordable energy is critical for steel production, and by expanding our renewable power portfolio, we are reducing costs, cutting carbon, and showing that heavy industry in Africa can lead the way toward a cleaner future”. 

Berjeesh D Surty, Managing Director of Spenomatic added: “We are excited to collaborate with Empower New Energy and Abyssinia Steel on this transformative solar project. Together, we set a benchmark for clean energy adoption in the industrial sector."