The Cost of Power Outages
In Kenya, power outages cost businesses an estimated KES 60 billion annually. For your business, every minute of downtime means:
- Lost revenue
Here's how to protect your operations.
Understanding Your Risk
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High-Risk Businesses
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Medium-Risk Businesses
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Lower-Risk Businesses
Protection Levels
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Level 1: Basic Protection (UPS Only)
Best for: Offices with computers, POS systems
How it works: Battery backup provides 5-30 minutes of power, enough to save work and shut down properly.
Components:
Cost: KES 15,000-80,000
Limitations: Short runtime, not for continuous operation
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Level 2: Standard Protection (UPS + Generator)
Best for: Most businesses needing continuous operation
How it works: UPS provides instant backup while generator starts (10-30 seconds), then generator takes over.
Components:
Cost: KES 200,000-1,000,000+
Benefits: Hours/days of backup, handles any outage
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Level 3: Premium Protection (UPS + Generator + ATS)
Best for: Critical operations requiring zero downtime
How it works: Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) seamlessly switches to generator within seconds, with UPS bridging the gap.
Components:
Cost: KES 500,000-5,000,000+
Benefits: Zero perceived downtime, fully automated
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Level 4: Maximum Protection (Hybrid Solar + Generator + UPS)
Best for: Businesses wanting independence from Kenya Power
How it works: Solar provides daily power, batteries store excess, generator serves as ultimate backup, UPS ensures zero gaps.
Components:
Cost: KES 1,000,000-10,000,000+
Benefits: Reduced power bills, environmental benefits, maximum reliability
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Explained
An ATS is the brain of your backup system:
1. Monitors mains power continuously 2. Detects outage within milliseconds 3. Sends start signal to generator 4. Waits for generator to stabilize (10-30 seconds) 5. Transfers load to generator 6. When mains return, waits for stability 7. Transfers back to mains 8. Sends stop signal to generator
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ATS Types
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Top ATS Brands
Generator Sizing for Business
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Quick Sizing Guide
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Must Include
UPS Selection for Business
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UPS Technologies
Line-Interactive:
Online Double-Conversion:
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UPS Sizing Formula
kVA needed = (Total Watts × 1.25) ÷ 0.8
Example: 2,000W load × 1.25 = 2,500 ÷ 0.8 = 3.1 kVA UPS minimum
Maintenance Requirements
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Generator Maintenance
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UPS Maintenance
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ATS Maintenance
Implementation Checklist
1. ☐ Audit current power usage (request bill analysis) 2. ☐ Identify critical vs non-critical loads 3. ☐ Determine acceptable downtime 4. ☐ Calculate total power requirement 5. ☐ Choose protection level 6. ☐ Select appropriate equipment 7. ☐ Plan installation timeline 8. ☐ Budget for maintenance 9. ☐ Train staff on procedures 10. ☐ Document emergency protocols
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Undersizing generators - Motor starting loads catch people out 2. Skipping the UPS - Generator needs 10-30 seconds to start 3. No maintenance plan - Backup systems fail from neglect 4. DIY electrical work - Always use licensed electricians 5. Ignoring fuel storage - Keep minimum 2-3 days supply 6. No load testing - Test monthly under real conditions
Complete Business Packages
We offer turnkey solutions:
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Small Business Package
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Medium Business Package
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Enterprise Package
Get Protected Today
Don't wait for the next outage to cost you money. Contact us for:
📞 Call: +254 768 860 665 or +254 782 914 717 📧 Email: Request site survey 🏢 Coverage: All 47 counties
Free consultation and site survey in Nairobi area.
*Emerson Energy - Keeping Kenya's businesses running since 2005*
Our team is ready to help with your power needs. Free consultation available.Need Expert Help?