CUSUM ENERGY is proud to have played a key role in advancing the development of the Embu County Energy Plan (CEP) a strategic framework designed to improve energy access, efficiency, and sustainability across the county.
Understanding Energy Use in Agro-Processing
As part of the CEP process, our team carried out industrial visits and field assessments across Embu’s vibrant agro-processing sector. These visits provided valuable insights into how different industries consume energy and the opportunities available to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Key sectors engaged included:
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Dairy Processing: Kawanjara, Kanja, and Mburugu Dairy Cooperatives
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Tea Processing: Mungania Tea Factory
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Macadamia Processing: Privan Nuts EPZ Kenya Ltd
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Coffee Processing: Murue and Kibugu Cooperatives, Embu County Coffee Millers
These site visits revealed common challenges such as high energy costs for heating and cooling, low efficiency in some production processes, and significant untapped potential for waste-to-energy solutions using agro-waste.
Policy and Governance Workshop
The week’s activities culminated in a policy workshop with the Embu County Assembly Committee on Energy, bringing together policymakers, technical experts, and community representatives.
The workshop focused on:
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Strengthening the legislative and regulatory frameworks guiding the County Energy Plan
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Aligning the CEP with other key planning documents, including the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP 2023–2027), the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), the Solid Waste Management Plan, and the Annual Development Plan (ADP 2024/25)
The event was graced by:
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Hon. Edwin Muriithi, Chairperson – Committee on Energy
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Hon. Elijah Njeru Mugo, CECM for Energy
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Embu County Women in Energy, who showcased innovative solar PV and clean cooking solutions that are making a real difference in local communities
Aligning Policy, Industry, and Local Innovation
The engagements highlighted the importance of political support, strong policy frameworks, and community-driven innovation in driving sustainable energy development. By linking industrial energy needs with policy planning and grassroots solutions, the CEP creates a pathway to:
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Improve energy efficiency in key economic sectors
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Unlock the potential of renewable energy and waste-to-energy solutions
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Enhance energy access for communities, especially in rural areas
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Integrate clean energy into broader economic and environmental plans
What’s Next
Moving forward, the Embu County Energy Plan will:
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Finalize actionable strategies for energy efficiency in agro-processing
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Support the rollout of waste-to-energy pilot projects
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Promote women-led innovations in clean energy and cooking solutions
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Strengthen collaboration between government, industry, and communities to achieve inclusive and sustainable energy access
At CUSUM ENERGY, we remain committed to supporting counties in building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy systems that drive economic growth while protecting the environment.