Madagascar’s Chocolaterie Robert forges advanced hybrid power system

Madagascan cocoa and chocolate producer, Chocolaterie Robert has moved to invest in an advanced hybrid power system, as the business seeks to deliver on its sustainability targets, reports Neill Barston.

The company, which has centred its activities on its Chocolat Madagascar export brand, has moved to install over 486 photovoltaic solar panels with dual German-engineered inverters, generating 421 megawatt-hours (MWhr) of clean electricity annually.

As the business noted, renewable energy is fed into the national grid, reducing CO₂ emissions and advancing the country’s transition to green power.

Significantly, the development is part of a broader environmental initiative, which has seen it convert its boiler to run on briquettes made from cacao shells — a byproduct of its own chocolate production — which now powers its cocoa butter press.

The scheme is aiming to place it as among Africa’s leading proponents of sustainable energy practices, reflecting a strong focus on ethical sourcing practices and production methods.

Furthermore, to ensure uninterrupted production during grid failures, the company also installed, in July 2025, a 550 KVA backup generator manufactured in the UK and Turkey — fully compatible with biofuels. This auxiliary system guarantees continuity during extended outages.

Hery Andriamampianina, Technical Director, Chocolaterie Robert, commented: “In Madagascar’s uncertain energy environment, our investment ensures production continuity and improved lead times, reduces environmental impact, and reflects our core values of sustainability and innovation.”