iColo Expands Solar Capacity in Kenya, Enhancing Sustainability at Nairobi and Mombasa Data Centers

iColo, a subsidiary of Digital Realty, has expanded its renewable energy efforts with the installation of solar panels at its data center facilities in Kenya. The company has added over 650 kilowatts (kW) of solar energy capacity across its Nairobi and Mombasa campuses, marking a significant step in its sustainability strategy.

The majority of the new solar capacity – over 450 kW – has been installed at iColo’s Nairobi campus NBO, which serves as a central hub for over 60 national and global networks. This addition supports the ongoing expansion of the NBO campus. Meanwhile, nearly 200 kW of solar capacity has been installed at iColo’s Miritini Mombasa campus, a growing site that currently connects more than 85 network providers.

Ranjith Cherickel, Founder and CEO of iColo, emphasized the company’s dual objectives of meeting its own sustainability goals while also supporting customers in achieving their renewable energy targets. “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. As we further expand, Mombasa’s leading global interconnection hub that has more than 85 network providers will benefit from the campus’ expanded sustainable energy source,” Cherickel stated. He further highlighted iColo’s ongoing efforts to increase its reliance on renewable energy sources, particularly as the company continues to grow.

Kenya’s power grid is heavily reliant on renewable energy, with 82% of its energy mix coming from renewable sources, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). iColo is currently exploring additional space for further solar installations, including greenfields, car parks, and rooftops across its campuses, with the goal of meeting 25% of its power needs through solar energy in the long term.

iColo’s plans align with Digital Realty’s broader sustainability initiatives. The company has committed to significant reductions in its emissions by 2030, under the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This includes a 68% reduction in direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and a 24% reduction in value chain emissions (Scope 3).

The recent solar installations in Kenya also align with Digital Realty’s global efforts to increase its renewable energy portfolio. In a similar move, Teraco, another subsidiary of Digital Realty, recently launched a 120 MW solar project in South Africa’s Free State province. This project is expected to generate over 338,000 megawatt-hours annually, contributing substantially to the region’s renewable energy supply.

iColo is set to continue its growth in Kenya, with the planned addition of more solar capacity in tandem with the expansion of its data center operations. The company’s second Nairobi data center, NBO2, is expected to become operational by Q3 2025, featuring an IT load of 6.5 MW. At full capacity, iColo’s three data centers are anticipated to consume over 20 megawatts (MW) of power.

This expansion underscores iColo’s commitment to integrating sustainable energy solutions into its operations, positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy within Kenya’s data center industry.