iColo has enhanced its sustainability efforts, implementing over 650 kW of solar installations across its data centre campuses in Nairobi and Mombasa. More than 450 kW of this new capacity is at the Nairobi campus, supporting its expansion and growing energy demands.
Solar Installation: Supporting Global Network
In a significant step towards sustainability, carrier-neutral data centre provider iColo has announced the addition and commissioning of over 650 kilowatts (kW) of new solar installations across its data centre campuses in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Over 450 kW of this new solar capacity is located at iColo’s Nairobi campus. Known as NBO, the campus is a critical hub where more than 60 national and global networks converge. The additional solar power will support the facility’s continued expansion and help meet its growing energy demands.
The remaining 200 kW of solar capacity has been allocated to iColo’s campus in Miritini, Mombasa. As a growing interconnection hub for over 85 network providers, this installation provides a sustainable energy source to support the campus’s ongoing expansion.
Ranjith Cherickel, Founder and CEO of iColo, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “Our solar investments are driven not only by our sustainability goals as a company but also by our commitment to support our customers’ renewable energy targets,” he said.
Kenya’s Renewable Energy Landscape
Kenya is a leader in renewable energy, with 82% of its energy generation mix already coming from renewable sources. According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the country’s grid relies heavily on geothermal, hydro, and wind power. iColo’s new solar installations align with this national commitment to sustainability.
The company is also actively seeking additional space for further solar installations, including on greenfields, car parks, and rooftops at all its campuses. iColo has set a long-term goal to meet 25% of its facilities’ power needs with solar energy. This ambitious plan is part of a broader strategy to ensure campus growth is matched by added solar capacity and the integration of more renewable solutions to meet future power demands.
Future Plans
iColo’s future growth plans include three data centres in its master plan, complete with a captive substation. These facilities are expected to consume over 20 megawatts (MW) at full capacity. The second Nairobi data center, NBO2, is anticipated to come online in the third quarter of 2025 with an IT load of 6.5 MW.
These developments are in line with the sustainability goals of iColo’s parent company, Digital Realty. In 2020, Digital Realty joined the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), committing to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 68% and Scope 3 emissions by 24% by 2030. The parent company has also made significant progress in renewable energy procurement, securing contracts for over 1.4 gigawatts of renewable power.
iColo’s recent solar projects in Nairobi and Mombasa are a testament to its commitment to sustainability. By aligning with Kenya’s renewable energy landscape and Digital Realty’s global sustainability goals, iColo is not just adopting renewable energy—it is helping drive the industry forward. As the company continues to expand, its focus on sustainable energy solutions will remain a top priority.
