Reliable Off-Grid Energy Storage Keeps Production Moving for a Bakery in Kenya

 Turkana County, Kenya      Bakery     September, 2026       

 50kW / 57kWh SAJ CHS2 C&I Energy Storage System, 100% Off-grid System

For manufacturers, reliable electricity is more than a utility — it is part of the production process.

From mixers and ovens to refrigeration, processing equipment and production lines, many businesses depend on a stable power supply every day. In regions where grid electricity is unreliable or unavailable, power interruptions can quickly become production interruptions.

In Turkana County, Kenya, a bakery is addressing this challenge with a 50kW/57kWh SAJ CHS2 energy storage system, supporting its operations with a 100% off-grid power solution.

The Challenge: Manufacturing Where Reliable Grid Power Is Not Available

For a bakery, electricity directly affects the ability to produce.

Equipment such as ovens, mixers, refrigeration and other electrical loads needs dependable power to support normal operations. When electricity is unavailable, production can stop, equipment utilisation falls and customer orders can be affected.

This challenge is not limited to bakeries.

Across Africa, manufacturers and processing businesses operating in areas with unstable grids, frequent outages or no grid connection face similar energy challenges.

These can include:

• Bakeries and food processing facilities
• Workshops and small factories
• Agricultural processing businesses
• Cold storage facilities
• Packaging operations
• Textile and light manufacturing facilities

For these businesses, an energy system must do more than reduce an electricity bill. It needs to support business continuity and reliable production.

The Solution: 50kW/57kWh SAJ CHS2 Off-Grid Energy Storage

To support the bakery’s operations, a 50kW/57kWh SAJ CHS2 was deployed as part of its 100% off-grid energy system.

CHS2 is an integrated C&I energy storage solution designed for commercial, industrial and off-grid applications.

By integrating energy storage with solar and other available energy sources, businesses can build an energy system around their actual operational requirements rather than relying entirely on an unstable or unavailable grid.

For this bakery, the solution provides the energy infrastructure needed to support day-to-day operations in an off-grid environment.

 

Why CHS2 Is Well Suited to Small Manufacturing

Manufacturing loads can be very different from typical office or residential electricity consumption. Motors, pumps, compressors, refrigeration equipment and production machinery can create significant loads and temporary power peaks.

The SAJ CHS2 is designed with these C&I requirements in mind.

Reliable Off-Grid Operation

CHS2 can support off-grid applications where businesses need to operate independently from the utility grid.

For manufacturers in remote locations or areas with weak grid infrastructure, this provides another way to build a reliable electricity supply for critical operations.

Strong Backup Capability for Demanding Loads

The 50kW CHS2 supports up to 55kVA backup apparent power and 75kVA peak output apparent power for 5 seconds.

This additional short-duration capability can be important in C&I applications where equipment creates temporary load peaks.

Make Better Use of Solar Energy

CHS2 supports up to 100kWp of PV input, allowing businesses to combine substantial solar generation with battery storage.

Instead of relying only on solar electricity at the moment it is generated, excess available energy can be stored and used when required, helping businesses extend the value of their solar system beyond daylight production hours.

Solar + Battery + Generator Integration

For many African manufacturers, completely removing generators from the energy system may not always be practical.

A hybrid architecture allows PV, battery and generator to work as part of the same energy system, helping businesses prioritise solar and stored energy while retaining generator support where required.

This makes CHS2 relevant not only for fully off-grid sites, but also for manufacturers looking to reduce their dependence on diesel.

From Energy Access to Production Reliability

For manufacturers, the business case for solar and energy storage is different from that of a typical residential system.

The question is not simply:

“How much electricity can solar generate?”

A more important question is:

“Can my energy system keep my business operating when I need it?”

That can mean having enough power to keep refrigeration operating, complete a production cycle, operate machinery or avoid unnecessary downtime.

The Turkana bakery project demonstrates how off-grid solar and energy storage can support productive energy use, turning renewable energy into practical infrastructure for everyday business operations.

A Solution Beyond Bakeries

The same energy challenge exists across many manufacturing sectors in Africa.

A properly designed C&I solar and battery storage system can be considered for businesses such as:

Food & Beverage
Bakeries, milling, food processing, dairy and beverage production.

Agricultural Processing
Grain processing, cold rooms, packing facilities and other post-harvest operations.

Light Manufacturing
Textile, furniture, plastics, workshops and assembly facilities.

Cold Chain
Cold storage and refrigeration applications where prolonged power interruptions can affect stored products.

Remote Commercial Operations
Businesses located where grid connection is unavailable, expensive or unreliable.

Every project has different load profiles and operating requirements, so system design and battery sizing should be based on the actual application rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Reliable Energy for Manufacturing Across Africa

As African manufacturing and commercial activity expand, reliable electricity remains an important requirement for businesses operating both on and beyond the grid.

Solar alone can provide low-cost renewable generation. Battery storage adds another important capability: the ability to use energy when the business actually needs it.

For manufacturers facing unreliable grids, frequent outages or no grid access, solutions such as CHS2 can help create a more flexible energy architecture combining:

Solar generation + Battery storage + Generator support + Intelligent energy management

The result is an energy system designed around the operational needs of the business.

For this bakery in Turkana County, that means something very practical:

Reliable energy to keep production moving — even without the grid.

Looking for Reliable Power for Your Manufacturing Facility?

Whether you operate a bakery, processing plant, workshop, cold storage facility or small factory, SAJ can work with its partners to explore a C&I energy storage solution based on your site’s actual energy requirements.

If your business is dealing with unstable grid power, frequent outages, high generator dependence or no grid connection, talk to SAJ about your project.