On January 9, 2025, Kenyan summer cut-flower grower and exporter Florencia Blooms Limited celebrated their milestone in sustainability. With the commissioning of the first phase of their solar energy initiative, they are well on their way to meeting the FSI2025 sustainability targets. "It highlights our unwavering commitment to harnessing 100% solar power for all our energy needs, significantly reducing our environmental footprint, and setting a new standard for sustainable farming in Kenya's vibrant flower industry", says Gilbert Towett, the farm's Managing Director.
Why are they installing this solar project?
Towett: "For many years, we have been dedicated to becoming a more sustainable farm. Additionally, our farm is located far from the 3-phase National Grid, and the cost of connecting to the grid is high. As a smallholder grower farm, we sought an alternative solution. We chose a lease-to-own solar solution, balancing affordability with flexibility."
The first phase of their solar project began in December 2024, with the installation of solar panels, and was commissioned on January 9, 2025. "This allows us to run daytime operations using daylight and solar panels. While many companies use a hybrid system with the Electricity Grid, we are not connected to the National Grid and have relied on diesel generators, which significantly impact emissions. As responsible growers, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact," Gilbert explains.
The next step involves installing energy storage, enabling them to meet all their energy needs — including water pumping, irrigation, cooling, and other operations — solely through solar power. "We are optimistic that by March 2025, we will be fully running on solar power."
Overcoming challenges in their solar journey
Adopting solar energy has not been without its difficulties, explains Towett: "Our biggest challenge has been finding a reliable, cost-effective, and flexible supplier, especially in terms of payment options. The initial investment in a solar system is quite high in Kenya, but the reduced running costs will eventually offset this investment and shorten the return on investment (ROI) period. As a smallholder farm, we also face high operational costs in the flower industry, particularly with freight, inputs, and land expenses, which significantly impact our cash flow. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to our solar energy journey, confident that the long-term benefits will far outweigh the initial hurdles."
Commitment to broader sustainability goals
"As proud members of the Kenya Flower Council under the Silver Standard and GlobalGAP certification, we are dedicated to advancing sustainability initiatives within the FSI2025 framework. We, for example, are reducing our inorganic fertilizer dependency by transforming flower waste into valuable compost, enhancing soil fertility naturally. This compost not only serves as manure but also as mulch, helping to retain water and reduce evaporation. Moreover, in 2023, we were honored as the best farm with minimal non-conformities under the smallholder farms certification scheme."
Social responsibility
At Florencia Blooms, they believe in making a positive impact beyond their fields. "We proudly partner with the AGC Baby Center, an organization dedicated to rescuing, rearing, and releasing abandoned babies for adoption or family reunification. Since its inception in 2004, the center has rescued 530 children. The center's strategy (Rescue, Rear, and Release) focuses on rescuing abandoned babies, providing them with nurturing care, and facilitating their adoption or reunification with their families. Currently, only 45 babies remain at the center, with the rest having found loving homes or been reunited with their families. This partnership gives us a profound sense of purpose as we witness lives being transformed and hear inspiring stories of rescue missions. Everyone can join us in supporting this noble cause and making a difference in the lives of these children."
For more information:
Florencia Blooms Limited
www.florenciablooms.com