Case study
Optimizing Generator Usage
Cutting Diesel Costs and Restoring Control for a Cold-Chain Business in Lagos
Background
Running cold rooms in Nigeria means one thing: power can’t fail. But unreliable grids and diesel generators often lead to high costs, inefficiency, and limited visibility.
For Kikspro Meats & Farmers Market, a Lagos-based cold-chain operator, diesel costs were spiralling, even though grid power was available most of the day. The business needed a clear picture of what was really happening on-site, and a way to control energy use without compromising refrigeration uptime.
Working with Boyls Engineering, enee.io provided the energy intelligence needed to uncover waste, stop unnecessary generator use, and put control back in the hands of management.
The Challenge
Kikspro’s cold rooms run continuously to store meat, fish, and frozen goods. Power came from three sources:
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NEPA grid supply
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A 60 kVA diesel generator
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A 22 kVA diesel generator
Despite high grid availability (18–22 hours per day), generators were still running frequently. Diesel accounted for just 16% of energy consumed, yet contributed almost half of the monthly energy cost.
Key issues included:
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No visibility into when the grid was actually available
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Generators running unnecessarily or inefficiently
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Slow or manual switching back to grid power
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High diesel cost per kWh
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Difficulty verifying reported generator usage
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Difficultly in safe guarding staff jobs with energy instability
Monthly energy spend had reached ₦2.2–₦2.3 million, with no clear way to reduce it safely.
The Solution
Boyls Engineering installed enee.io monitoring across all power sources and the main load, giving Kikspro real-time, verified data on:
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Grid vs generator usage
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Load levels (kW) and energy consumption (kWh)
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Generator runtime and efficiency
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True diesel cost per kWh
Within days, Kikspro could clearly see:
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When the grid was available
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How often generators were being used unnecessarily
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Which generator was running at the wrong load
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The real cost of each power source
To remove human error and excuses, the system was paired with ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) optimisation, ensuring grid-first operation and faster switching away from diesel.
What the Data Revealed
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Total energy used: 18,787 kWh (November)
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Average load: ~35 kW (typical for cold rooms)
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Grid contribution: 84% of energy at ₦64–₦70/kWh
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Diesel contribution: 16% of energy at ₦330–₦1,000+/kWh
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System uptime: 98% (reliable cold storage maintained)
Critically, the data showed that:
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The 60 kVA generator often ran at low loads, wasting fuel
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The 22 kVA generator, although rarely used, produced the most expensive electricity
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Every unnecessary hour on diesel cost ₦10,000–₦25,000
The Results
Immediate Impact
By prioritising grid power, improving generator dispatch, and tightening switching behaviour, Kikspro can now:
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Save ₦750,000 – ₦1.3 million per month in energy costs
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Reduce diesel runtime by 20–35%
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Cut fuel consumption by 150–250 litres per week
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Maintain reliable, uninterrupted cold-room operation
Operational Improvements
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Clear, real-time visibility of energy performance
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Accurate verification of diesel usage
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Reduced reliance on staff judgement or manual reporting
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Faster, automatic switching back to grid power
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Data-driven decisions instead of assumptions
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Increased productivity of staff with more operational hours
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Safe-guarding jobs and shifts for staff with greater energy stability
Environmental Benefits
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Lower diesel usage means fewer emissions
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Reduced carbon footprint strengthens future partnerships with supermarkets, exporters, and regulated buyers
What the Client Says
"The enee.io monitoring system is well built for solving energy visibility issues. I can see my energy assets’ performance across the board, even when I am not physically present. I can boldly recommend the system to my friends and business partners.”
— Mr. Kayode Oladipo, CEO, Kikspro Meats and Farmers Market
The client also rated the system 9.4/10 overall in a customer survey form, with a 90% satisfaction score, highlighting improved confidence, remote visibility, and cost control.
Why enee.io
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Real-time energy intelligence across grid and generators
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Plug-and-play monitoring, fast to install
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Accurate diesel verification — no guesswork
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Remote access for owners and managers
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Works seamlessly with grid, gensets, and future solar
enee.io turns energy systems into something you can see, understand, and control.
Partner Spotlight: Boyls Engineering
This project was delivered by Boyls Engineering Services Ltd, who designed the monitoring strategy, interpreted the data, and guided optimisation on-site.
Their role ensured the technology translated into real operational savings — not just dashboards.
What’s Next
With monitoring in place, Kikspro is now positioned to:
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Sustain lower diesel usage long-term
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Explore solar + battery hybrid solutions
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Use verified data for budgeting and expansion
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Maintain reliable cold storage at the lowest possible cost
This project shows how energy intelligence delivers fast payback, tighter control, and peace of mind — even in demanding, always-on environments.
For more information on enee.io and to speak with our team:
+234 (0) 808 216 9653
For local support and projects:
Boyls Engineering Ltd
boylsengineeringservicesltd@yahoo.com
+234 (0) 806 763 3001