Transforming Tea Production: GRIPS Inaugurates Two Cost-Saving Solar Plants

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Transforming Tea Production: GRIPS Inaugurates Two Cost-Saving Solar Plants

2024-11-22 12:58 Last Updated At：13:10

KAMPALA, Uganda--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024--

In the southwestern region of Uganda, GRIPS Energy and Igara Growers Tea Factory Ltd. celebrated the successful completion of these projects, joined by honourable guests from business and government sectors. The 499 kWp and 425 kWp ground-mounted solar plants are a vital step for the pooled 7,000 smallholder tea farmers on their journey to reduce their electricity costs and carbon footprint.

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Buhweju PV plant (Photo: GRIPS Energy )

“We partnered with GRIPS Energy because we could not have managed the investment cost for these plants ourselves,” says Engineer Zaali, Factories Engineer. “They have handled 100% of finance and construction and they are now looking after system maintenance.” He continued, “we look forward to our continued partnership with GRIPS Energy, because we hope to expand our factories, and GRIPS will help us to install more green energy”.

Andrew Kasule, Sales Manager of GRIPS Energy Uganda, confirms: “Our approach of teaming up with our customer Igara Growers Tea Factory, our Ugandan installation partner and the engineering experts from our German head office to form a tripartite, close-knit project team right from the start has once again proved its worth. As their long-term partner, we will stay by the side of Igara Tea Growers and warrant for full performance, service and maintenance throughout the 20-year contract for both solar plants.”

In line with the company’s one-stop-shop full-service offer, GRIPS was in charge of every detail of the project: from initial feasibility studies and customized plant design, to financing, installation and commissioning. Now that the plants are up and running, GRIPS is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the plants through a local engineering partner. “We are thrilled to support the economic growth and energy stability for Ugandan tea producers through these two solar projects. By reducing their energy costs, we not only support the company’s profitability, but also enhance power reliability and uninterrupted operations. It's inspiring to see their commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development," says Timon Herzog, Managing Director of GRIPS Energy.

Igara Growers Tea Factory Ltd.owns and operates two tea processing factories: Igara Tea Factory and Buhweju Tea Factory. These two factories are fully owned by 7,000 smallholder tea farmers. They contribute 10% of Uganda's total tea production from 28 tea factories in the country and are the largest smallholder tea factory company in Uganda.

GRIPS Energysupports companies in African countries in transitioning to affordable renewable energy through fully financed, custom-designed power systems. As a renewable energy investor and contractor, GRIPS provides reliable, pre-financed solutions that lower energy costs, ensure stable power, and reduce CO₂ emissions. Partnering with local EPCs, GRIPS oversees every project phase and manages ongoing operations and maintenance, allowing customers to focus on growth while GRIPS secures their energy needs.

www.grips-energy.com

The RES Uganda project supports GRIPS Energy in implementing communication and marketing activities in East Africa. This project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme of the German Energy Solutions Initiative.

German Energy Agency (dena)

The German Energy Agency (dena) is a centre of excellence for the applied energy transition and climate protection. dena studies the challenges of building a climate-neutral society and supports the German government in achieving its energy and climate policy objectives. Since its foundation in 2000, dena has worked to develop and implement solutions and bring together national and international partners from politics, industry, the scientific community and all parts of society. dena is a project enterprise and a public company owned by the German federal government. dena’s shareholder is the Federal Republic of Germany. www.dena.de

German Energy Solutions Initiative

With the aim of positioning German technologies and know-how worldwide, the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) supports suppliers of climate-friendly energy solutions in opening up foreign markets. The focus lies on renewable energies, energy efficiency, smart grids and storage, as well as technologies such as power-to-gas and fuel cells. Aimed in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises, the German Energy Solutions Initiative supports participants through measures to prepare market entry as well as to prospect, develop and secure new markets. www.german-energy-solutions.de/GES/Navigation/EN/Home/home.html

Renewable Energy Solutions Programme(RES Programme)

With the RES programme, the Energy Export Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) helps German companies in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors enter new markets. Within the framework of the programme, reference plants are installed and marketed with the support of the German Energy Agency (dena). Information and training activities help ensure a sustainable market entry and demonstrate the quality of climate-friendly technologies made in Germany. https://www.german-energy-solutions.de/GES/Redaktion/EN/Basepages/Services/dena-res.html

Nick Chubb plows through heavy snow for 2-yard TD, giving Browns 24-19 win over Steelers

2024-11-22 12:54 Last Updated At：13:01

CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Chubb ran for a 2-yard touchdown in heavy snow with 57 seconds left, and the Cleveland Browns stunned division rival Pittsburgh 24-19 on Thursday night, ending the Steelers' five-game winning streak.

Chubb's score came in his first game against the AFC North-leading Steelers (8-3) since the running back sustained a season-ending left knee injury on a carry last year at Pittsburgh.

The Browns (3-8) had blown a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter and were down 19-18 before getting the ball back with 3:22 remaining after Pittsburgh punter Corliss Waitman shanked a 16-yarder.

With snow piling up and covering the yard lines on the field, Cleveland's Jameis Winston completed a third-down pass to Jerry Jeudy to the Pittsburgh 9. Two plays later, Chubb barreled into the end zone.

The Steelers had one last chance, but Russell Wilson's Hail Mary on the final play was knocked down by Browns safety Grant Delpit in the end zone, touching off a wild celebration at Huntington Bank Field.

Amid a disastrous season, beating the Steelers eased pressure on coach Kevin Stefanski and gave Cleveland fans something to savor.

With early snow flurries giving way to blizzard-like conditions in the fourth quarter that blanketed the field in white — Amazon Prime Video used graphics on its telecast to show the otherwise invisible numbers and hash marks — the Steelers quickly erased an 18-6 deficit, scoring two touchdowns in just over a minute.

Wilson’s 23-yard TD pass to Calvin Austin III with 6:15 left put Pittsburgh ahead by one. Nick Herbig's strip-sack of Winston set up the go-ahead score and put the Steelers in position to win their sixth straight and open a two-game lead in the AFC North over Baltimore.

However, the Browns responded and pulled off their second divisional win after beating the Ravens last month.

Jaylen Warren scored on a 3-yard run midway through the fourth to pull the Steelers within 18-13. Then, as always seems to be the case, Pittsburgh’s defense came up with the big play as Herbig got to Winston and safety DeShon Elliott recovered the fumble.

Three plays later, Wilson showed patience while allowing Austin to get open and hit him deep in the end zone.

Cleveland’s Myles Garrett got three sacks and outplayed Steelers star T.J. Watt.

Garrett dominated the first half, sacking Wilson and putting constant pressure on the Steelers’ QB. The performance came during a week in which the Browns star commented about Watt’s seeming slight when Garrett was named Defensive Player of the Year over him last season.

Garrett set up Cleveland’s second score with a strip-sack of Wilson. As he was being blocked, Garrett was popped the ball from Wilson’s grip and linebacker Winston Reid recovered.

The Browns drove to the 16 and settled for a 34-yard field from Dustin Hopkins, who missed two kicks weeks a week ago in a loss at New Orleans.

Chubb’s TD dive in the second quarter capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive by the Browns, who gained just 19 yards and had two three-and-outs in the first quarter.

The Steelers drove inside Browns territory on their first three possessions, but came away with just three points.

Chris Boswell, who made six field goals last Sunday for all of Pittsburgh’s points in a win over Baltimore, missed a 58-yard field goal in the first quarter while the field was still in good shape. It was only his second miss in 31 attempts this season.

Steelers: WR Van Jefferson (quadriceps) left briefly in the first half but returned. ... LB Elandon Roberts was forced out in the fourth quarter with an unspecified injury.

Browns: WR Cedric Tillman was checked for a head injury.

Steelers: At Cincinnati on Dec. 1.

Browns: At Denver on Dec. 3.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl