SALT LAKE CITY — Kaddas Enterprises, a U.S.-based manufacturer and leader in engineered thermoformed plastic solutions for critical infrastructure, today announced a new collaboration with Kenya Power and Lighting Company focused on protecting electrical infrastructure and reducing wildlife-related power disruptions across Kenya. Under the new five-year agreement, the two companies will work together to test products and share expertise aimed at supporting a more reliable power grid and advancing a cross-border effort to protect critical infrastructure and wildlife.
Wildlife-related outages are a significant challenge for electric utilities globally. In the United States, animals are estimated to cause roughly 20 percent of all power outages, a rate that is significantly higher in many parts of Africa. In addition to disrupting service, these incidents can damage infrastructure, kill birds and other wildlife, spark wildfires, and put nearby communities and critical energy systems at risk. Kaddas’ BirdguarD™ product line is designed to prevent this interference, reducing outages, extending asset life, and protecting wildlife that would otherwise be harmed by contact with uninsulated lines.
“Kenya Power is taking proactive steps to protect its grid and the communities who rely on it, while also protecting their wildlife, which is a major economic driver for tourism. This is something no other utility in the region is doing at this scale,” said Natalie Kaddas, President and CEO of Kaddas Enterprises. “We know wildlife-related outages happen everywhere, but in markets where reliability is already a challenge, every improvement makes a meaningful difference. This collaboration is an opportunity to develop solutions on the ground and build toward a more reliable and resilient grid.”
“This collaboration agreement marks a new chapter: by deploying engineered solutions to prevent wildlife-related outages, KPLC proves that a reliable grid and the safety of our nation’s precious wildlife are not competing goals but are one and the same - we are delivering on our promise of operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and a more resilient energy future for Kenya,” said Dr. Eng. Joseph Siror, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Power and Lighting Company.
As part of the new agreement, Kenya Power has identified pilot locations and will support installation and evaluation efforts, while Kaddas will provide technical expertise, training, and demonstration products.
The collaboration also includes opportunities for capacity building, technology transfer, and long-term planning. The collaboration builds on an active pilot at the Soysambu Conservancy, a critical habitat for Kenya’s raptor populations, including the Augur Buzzard and Martial Eagle, species that utilize power lines for perching and hunting, and have been affected by uninsulated distribution lines. As part of the project, Kaddas’ protective products have been installed on utility poles and deployment is now being expanded to cover a broader section of the grid.
As deployment expands, the collaboration is expected to generate performance data and operational insights that could support broader adoption of wildlife mitigation solutions across Africa. It also offers a model for how crossborder partnerships between private industry, utilities, and government can deliver practical solutions that protect critical infrastructure and the wildlife that shares it.
To learn more about the collaboration and see the work underway in Kenya, watch here.
About Kaddas Enterprises Inc.
Since 1966, Kaddas Enterprises has been a leader in thermoform plastic manufacturing to protect power infrastructure, communities, and ecosystems. From its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Kaddas Enterprises utilizes highquality materials and innovative design to develop products and solutions for a wide variety of industries, including medical, transportation, and utility. Each product is designed to protect infrastructure and preserve animal life by preventing animal-caused power outages and the economic and animal loss they bring. Kaddas Enterprises also manufactures polymer solutions to provide the aviation industry with PMA parts of unsurpassed quality and reliability while allowing customers the ability to enjoy the reduced cost of ownership. For nearly six decades, Kaddas has provided full-service engineering from consultation and drafting through to prototype creation and final production, while maintaining its dedication to sustainable business practices.
For more information about Kaddas Enterprises, visit Kaddas.com.