Kenyan Solar Firm Miale Secures EUR 5M Boost From Swedish Investor

0
11
Miale's 402 kWp grid-tie solar PV system powering a quarry in Kajiado, Kenya. Credit:Miale Solar
Share this

Miale Solar Inventions Ltd, a Kenyan cleantech firm with Swedish heritage, has secured a EUR 5 million (KES 767.25 M) funding commitment to accelerate renewable energy adoption across East Africa.

The investment comes from Trine, a Swedish impact platform known for financing green energy in emerging markets.

This capital injection marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership, designed to help Miale Solar scale its “zero-upfront” solar solutions for Kenya’s commercial, industrial, and institutional (C&I) sectors.

At the heart of Miale’s strategy is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) model. Under this arrangement, the firm designs, finances, and operates on-site solar systems, allowing clients—including hospitals, schools, and factories—to buy electricity at rates typically 50% lower than current national grid tariffs.

Jonas Barman, Co-founder of Miale Solar, emphasised the immediate impact of this model.

“This partnership with Trine validates Miale’s operating model and long-term vision,” he stated. “Our PPA model enables an immediate and substantial reduction in electricity costs, often at 50% compared to KPLC—without any upfront investment.”

Consequently, this allows essential organisations to “redirect capital toward their core mission while lowering operating expenses.”

Strengthening energy security with storage

While Kenya is already a leader in renewable energy—with more than 80% of its national power generated from green sources—high tariffs and grid instability remain persistent hurdles for large-scale users.

To address this, Miale often integrates battery energy storage systems into its projects.

These storage solutions are engineered to provide a robust layer of operational resilience. By integrating advanced battery energy storage systems (BESS), facilities can ensure the total continuity of operations during grid outages, with automatic transfer switches providing a seamless transition that protects sensitive medical and industrial equipment from power fluctuations.

Furthermore, these systems are designed to significantly reduce dependence on expensive and polluting diesel backup generators, which often carry high fuel costs and require frequent maintenance.

By storing excess solar energy during the day, critical institutions—such as manufacturing plants and healthcare centres—can increase their overall energy security, maintaining 24/7 functionality even during extended periods of grid instability or low sunlight.

This transition not only lowers operating expenses but also future-proofs critical infrastructure against volatile fuel prices and logistical disruptions.

Founded in 2015, Miale Solar has built a diverse portfolio across agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing.

The firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Adwong’a, noted that the new funding reflects “strong investor confidence in Miale’s governance” and execution capability.

Furthermore, Chief Financial Officer, Eric Mwenda added that the investment “strengthens Miale’s capital structure and enables disciplined growth at scale,” allowing for the deployment of high-quality assets while maintaining rigorous risk management.

By combining Nordic sustainability principles with deep local expertise, Miale Solar is now positioned as one of the best-capitalised developers in the region.

The partnership with Trine is expected to cement its role as a key infrastructure partner for Kenyan organisations seeking to modernise their energy supply without the burden of initial capital expenditure.

Share this