Future-Proofing Energy: Kilaguni Safari Lodge Gets Lithium Battery Upgrade

Kenya’s First Fully Solar-Powered Lodge

In 2018, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge in Tsavo West National Park made history as Kenya’s first fully solar-powered lodge and the largest off-grid solar tracker and battery system in East Africa at the time.

The project set a benchmark for sustainable tourism, enabling the lodge to:

• Save 175 000 litres of diesel annually
• Achieve major CO₂ reductions
• Power all lodge operations, from laundry and kitchens to guest services – entirely through solar energy and battery storage

As one of the region’s oldest safari lodges, Kilaguni quickly gained international recognition for proving that conservation and commercial success can thrive together.

Where Kilaguni’s Solar Journey Began

Given the site’s remote location, installing the system in 2018 came with unique logisitical challenges – from fragile access routes, heavy cargo, and the need to protect daily lodge operations and the surrounding ecosystem.

Despite these hurdles, Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) successfully installed 310 kWp solar PV with 670 kWh of battery storage under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Every step was carefully planned and executed to ensure smooth installation with minimal disruption. At the time, the incumbent battery technology for projects of this scale was lead-acid, as lithium-ion BESS was only just beginning to become more commercially available.

7 Years Later: Lead Acid to Lithium

A long-term PPA brings more than affordable clean power – it brings peace of mind through O&M. For Kilaguni, this meant SPS carried full responsibility for keeping the system performing, including replacing components when the time came – at no extra cost.

After seven years of reliable operations, O&M data showed it was the right time to transition to lithium storage. In 2024, SPS worked with Kilaguni to implement a strategic upgrade: replacing the original lead-acid battery bank with lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Lithium is the current global benchmark for reliable, efficient, low-maintenance storage – ensuring Kilaguni’s system continues to offset diesel as originally designed.

In addition, upgrading does not mean discarding irresponsibly. All lead-acid batteries removed from Kilaguni are being fully recycled, ensuring zero landfill waste and recovery of valuable materials.

The Impact of the Upgrade

With lithium storage now in place, Kilaguni continues to operate at peak efficiency. This upgrade builds on the savings and environmental impact achieved in 2018, reinforcing Kilaguni as a flagship for renewable energy in East Africa’s tourism sector.

Importantly, it’s a reminder that energy assets aren’t “set and forget.” Batteries and other components have natural lifespans. With SPS’s proactive O&M, Kilaguni was able to plan ahead, avoid disruption, and preserve both financial and environmental performance.

Looking Ahead

Kilaguni is the first of several upgrades SPS is delivering across sub-Saharan Africa. Larger lithium-based energy storage systems are already under development, expanding access to reliable, high-performance renewable energy solutions.

For SPS, this project reflects our mission in action: to be the most trusted private utility partner, reimagining energy provision for our clients.