Innscor Africa plans to commission an additional 25 megawatts of commercial and industrial solar capacity across its operations in the 2026/27 financial year.
The diversified group is accelerating investment in renewable energy to mitigate power supply risks and lower operating costs.
Innscor’s broader solar investment and sustainability strategy is outlined in its 2025 annual report, which seeks to position renewable energy adoption as a key lever for long-term operational resilience and cost efficiency.
“As of June 30, 2025, the group commissioned 6MW of commercial and industrial solar across various operating sites; a further 25MW is planned to be commissioned across the group in F2026/F2027,” reads part of the group’s 2025 annual report.
Innscor said the additional capacity will be deployed across several major business units, including Baker’s Inn north and south regions, the Colcom Complex, National Foods’ Aspindale site and NatPak’s Kelso, Plymouth and Craster sites, as well as the Buffalo Brewing Company.
The report also noted that 54 of Profeeds’ 57 branches are already solar powered.
Innscor independent non-executive chairman Mr Addington Chinake said the group’s sustainability initiatives are embedded in its broader corporate strategy and are central to managing operational risks.
“The group’s sustainability strategy is guided by our commitment to the environment and society, balanced with economic growth and is embedded into the group’s corporate strategy,” Mr Chinake said in the annual report. “We recognise that sustainability is a significant driver to how we manage operational risk and drive the strategic positioning of the group for long-term business success,” he added.
Solar adoption has become increasingly critical for large industrial users in Zimbabwe amid persistent grid electricity supply challenges.
During the reporting year, Innscor generated 179 megawatt hours (MWh) from its commissioned solar installations, although the group noted that not all businesses have started fully recording their energy production data.
The group plans to align its energy management systems with international standards and best practices, benchmarked against peers, while implementing climate-related innovations that enhance sustainable development outcomes.
“Energy efficiency initiatives span beyond solar generation and the group applies comprehensive energy management protocols across its operations, including systematic energy budgeting, monitoring of electricity, diesel, petrol and coal usage and regular performance evaluations to identify corrective measures.
“Capital investment decisions for new machinery incorporate energy efficiency assessments, with priority given to equipment upgrades that demonstrate superior energy performance characteristics,” the group said.
According to the report, during the 2025 financial year, Innscor used a total of 124 415 MWh of grid-fed electricity, representing a marginal 4 percent increase compared to F2024.
The group said power outages significantly increased reliance on diesel generators, with the group recording total diesel usage of 9,99 million litres in the financial year 2025, up from 8,13 million litres in the prior year.
Innscor said diesel used to run generators surged by 66 percent to 5,05 million litres as a result of unreliable grid power supply, while diesel consumption for processing declined by 3 percent. – Herald
