Britam Tower Boosts Energy Independence with Solar System, Halving Grid Usage
Posted on : Tuesday, 30th June 2026
A newly commissioned solar energy system has strengthened Britam Tower's position as one of Africa's tallest green buildings. The project produces enough electricity annually to supply the equivalent of one month's power consumption for around 2,000 households.
Figures released by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) indicate that the average household in urban areas, including Nairobi, consumes approximately 200 kWh of electricity per month.
The insurer said the solar installation at Britam Tower is expected to generate approximately 390,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity each year.
The solar installation now meets around 50% of the 32-storey building's electricity needs, significantly cutting its carbon emissions and reducing dependence on the national power grid.
The annual electricity generated by the solar system is also sufficient to power a typical multi-storey commercial building in Nairobi's central business district for approximately nine months.
According to EPRA audits, most office buildings in Nairobi's central business district consume between 30,000 and 50,000 kWh of electricity each month, making Britam Tower's annual solar generation one of the country's largest rooftop commercial solar installations.
The rooftop grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system has an installed capacity of 250 kilowatt-peak (kWp) and is equipped with high-efficiency 650-watt solar panels mounted on a custom-built steel structure above the tower's parking silo.
In addition to producing clean electricity, the solar installation was designed to serve a commercial function.
The area beneath the solar panels has been transformed into a covered events venue featuring windbreaker glass, soundproof flooring, plumbing, and washroom facilities, creating an additional source of revenue for the company.
Britam said the project has generated KSh1.18 million in revenue since it was commissioned.
The insurer estimates that the solar installation will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 198 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) each year.
The company said the annual emissions reduction is equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting around 10,800 trees each year.
The solar project is part of Britam's broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy aimed at reducing operational emissions and expanding investment in climate-focused initiatives.
Britam Tower already features several energy-efficient technologies, including LED lighting, motion-sensor systems and a biophilic architectural design, in line with its EDGE green building certification. The Grade A office tower was the first building in Kenya to receive the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) EDGE certification, setting a benchmark for sustainable commercial developments through its efficient use of energy, water and construction materials.
