In a significant move to enhance its sustainable operations, carrier-neutral data center provider iColo has commissioned over 650 kilowatts (kW) of new solar photovoltaic capacity across its key campuses in Kenya. The Digital Realty company announced on August 27, 2024, that the installations in Nairobi and Mombasa are now operational, directly supporting both campus expansion and the growing demand for green digital infrastructure.
The majority of this new capacity, approximately 450 kW, has been deployed at iColo’s NBO1 campus in Nairobi. This facility serves as a critical interconnection hub where more than 60 national and international networks converge, making the infusion of clean energy essential for its scaling power requirements. The remaining 200 kW of solar power is now online at the MBA1 campus in Miritini, Mombasa, another rapidly growing connectivity point for the region.
This initiative reflects a dual commitment to corporate responsibility and client support. “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,” stated Ranjith Cherickel, Founder and CEO of iColo.
The project aligns seamlessly with Kenya’s national energy strategy. The country is already a continental leader in renewable energy, with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) reporting that 82% of its grid generation comes from sources like geothermal, hydro, and wind. iColo’s solar expansion contributes directly to this impressive green profile.
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Looking forward, iColo is pursuing a long-term goal to meet 25% of its facilities’ power needs through solar energy and is actively scouting additional space on rooftops, car parks, and greenfields for future installations. This strategy is crucial for its ambitious growth, which includes a master plan for three data centers projected to consume over 20 megawatts (MW) at full capacity. The next phase, the NBO2 data center, is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2025 with an initial IT load of 6.5 MW.
These efforts are also in step with the global sustainability objectives of parent company Digital Realty. In 2020, Digital Realty committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), pledging to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 68% and Scope 3 emissions by 24% by 2030. The parent company has already contracted for over 1.4 gigawatts of renewable energy globally, a commitment that iColo’s Kenyan projects now bolster.
Sources
- [Kenya] iColo adds 650 kW of solar power to its data centers in …
- iColo Expands Renewable Energy Footprint – CIO Africa
- iColo installs solar panels at Kenyan campuses – Data Centre Review
- Renewable energy expansion planned for iColo’s Kenyan data …
- Digital Realty Company iColo Expands Renewable Energy …
- iColo Boosts Kenya’s Renewable Energy Grid with Over 650 kW …
- iColo Installs 650kW Solar Panels at its Facilities in Kenya
- iColo installs solar panels at two Kenyan data center campuses – DCD
- iColo: A Digital Realty Company Expands Renewable Energy …
- iColo expands renewable energy footprint with installation of solar …
