This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
On April 22, 2020, Transmara Sugar Company announced plans to produce 25 megawatts of electricity at its Kilgoris factory, with the goal of generating and supplying power to the grid.
The miller, a subsidiary of Mauritian sugar producer Alteo, plans to invest Sh4.7 billion ($45 million) in the bagasse plant, which is expected to be completed in two years.
According to Transmara Sugar chief executive, the company plans to consume about 8 megawatts of the electricity and sell the rest, about 17 megawatts, to power distributor Kenya Power.
"Our expression of interest for development of the biomass power plant has been approved by the Ministry of Energy," Mr Bhargava said.
Transmara Sugar will join other millers that use sugar cane waste to produce their own electricity, including troubled Mumias Sugar Company.
Bagasse has huge potential as an energy source, with energy content similar to wood at 450 kilowatt hours per tonne compared to 750kwh for coal, according to experts.
