EADC to save Ksh 4.5m annually after going green

East Africa Data Centre (EADC) has announced a partnership with Distributed Power Africa (DPA) to install solar panels on its premises; enabling it to move towards achieving 100 percent dependency on renewable energy and save Ksh 4.5m a year.

DPA will set up solar panels on the data centre’s rooftop, pathways and the car parking bay; utilising all available space to maximise solar power output; providing daytime running of the facility and acting as a backup in times of power blackout from the Kenya Power mains.

“We are now powering EADC with renewable energy standing at 72.6 percent; allowing us to host, connect and support critical data for local and international companies,” Dan Kwach, General Manager, East Africa Data Centre.

EADC is among a few Uptime certified data centres in Africa that house critical data for clients, including cloud services and data back-up on servers, and is now also supporting Kenya’s first Analytics Data Centre in Strathmore Business School, Nairobi.

Investing in green power

EADC’s investments in green power are in line with strategic efforts to curtail global warming effects from use of fossil fuel to generate power.

Globally, data centres are now consuming some 3 pecent of the world’s total electricity supply; with their power consumption growing at about 4 percent a year. Data centres are therefore going green to conserve the environment and reduce operational costs.

Last year, EADC launched a new dedicated USD5m Kenya Power substation to support its energy-intensive needs. It is estimated that 60 percent of Kenya Power’s electricity is generated from green energy sources. Solar power will add to EADC’s competitive advantage and demonstrate its green credentials to win international clients.

Norman Moyo, DPA, CEO

“Solar power for commercial and industrial use is becoming more and more popular because it is a renewable energy source. Solar power is now available at a competitive price; such that when it is combined with power storage, provides viable energy reliability as an alternative to the grid”.

“This solar project is a 25-year asset that is specially designed for mature telco processes and systems, and through our operational management, maximise the output against its expected lifespan.”

Norman Moyo, DPA, CEO

The solar project at EADC will be DPA’s first solar installation in Kenya. This comes at a time when other major companies and development in the country are shifting to solar power. Companies such as Two Rivers and Carport with 1,280kW, Kaysalt in Malindi with 129kW, Strathmore School of Monetary Studies with 600kW.

In other African countries, DPA has installed solar power at: