In Uganda’s southwestern region, GRIPS Energy and Igara Growers Tea Factory Ltd. celebrated the completion of two transformative solar energy projects. The event, attended by distinguished business and government representatives, marked a significant milestone for the 7,000 smallholder tea farmers involved. The newly installed 499 kWp and 425 kWp ground-mounted solar plants aim to reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions for the tea processing factories.
Partnering for Sustainability
Engineer Zaali, Factories Engineer for Igara Growers, emphasized the importance of the collaboration:
“We partnered with GRIPS Energy because we could not have managed the investment cost for these plants ourselves. GRIPS handled 100% of the financing and construction and now oversees system maintenance. We look forward to expanding our factories with GRIPS’ support for more green energy installations.”
Andrew Kasule, GRIPS Energy Uganda’s Sales Manager, highlighted the teamwork driving the project:
“Our tripartite collaboration—between Igara Growers, our Ugandan installation partner, and engineering experts from Germany—has proven highly effective. As a long-term partner, GRIPS ensures the plants’ full performance, service, and maintenance throughout the 20-year contract.”
Comprehensive Project Management
GRIPS managed the entire project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, customized design, financing, installation, and commissioning. The company now oversees operations and maintenance through a local engineering partner. Timon Herzog, Managing Director of GRIPS Energy, remarked:
“These solar projects enhance economic growth and energy stability for Ugandan tea producers. By reducing energy costs, we support their profitability while advancing renewable energy adoption and sustainable development.”
Empowering Ugandan Tea Farmers
Igara Growers Tea Factory Ltd. operates two tea processing facilities, Igara Tea Factory and Buhweju Tea Factory, owned by 7,000 smallholder farmers. These factories contribute 10% of Uganda’s total tea production, making Igara Growers the largest smallholder tea factory company in the country.
GRIPS Energy: Advancing Renewable Solutions in Africa
GRIPS Energy specializes in affordable, custom-designed renewable energy systems for African businesses. Their fully financed solutions help reduce energy costs, ensure reliable power, and lower CO₂ emissions. Partnering with local engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, GRIPS oversees project implementation and ongoing maintenance, enabling clients to focus on growth.
This initiative benefits from the support of RES Uganda, a project under the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The programme, managed by the German Energy Agency (dena), promotes sustainable market entry for German renewable energy technologies worldwide.
About dena and the German Energy Solutions Initiative
The German Energy Agency (dena) is a leading organization driving the energy transition and climate protection efforts in Germany and abroad. Through the German Energy Solutions Initiative, the BMWK supports companies in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors to expand into international markets. By facilitating market entry and demonstrating high-quality German technologies, the initiative promotes climate-friendly solutions globally.
