In a country 2.5 times the size of the UK, where only one-third of the population has access to electricity and daily power outages often exceed eight hours, Chocolat Madagascar has taken bold and proactive steps to secure a sustainable and resilient energy future. Madagascar grows rare, fine fruity flavour cacao, accounting for just 0.2% of the world’s cocoa production.
As both a Malagasy (Madagascan) cocoa producer and chocolate manufacturer, Chocolat Madagascar is the premium export brand of Malagasy Chocolaterie Robert, the factory based in the capital Antananarivo. The company is critically reliant on stable electricity to maintain its bean-to-bar production. With an energy load of 350 KVA, any interruption threatens operations, equipment, product quality — and ultimately, the factory’s profitability and global competitiveness.
To address these risks and enhance energy independence, Chocolaterie Robert has invested in a state-of-the-art hybrid power system. This includes over 486 photovoltaic solar panels with dual German-engineered inverters, generating 421 megawatt-hours (MWhr) of clean electricity annually. The renewable energy is fed into the national grid, reducing CO₂ emissions and advancing Madagascar’s transition to green power.
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.
“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.”
— Hery Andriamampianina, Technical Director, Chocolaterie Robert
As part of a broader sustainability drive, the company has also converted its boiler to run on briquettes made from cacao shells — a byproduct of its own chocolate production — which now powers its cocoa butter press.
This innovative approach positions Chocolat Madagascar as a leader in sustainable energy practices in Africa, reaffirming its deep commitment to ethical, environmentally responsible, and value-added production at origin.
We LOVE this news as SDCF runs entirely on renewable energy sources so we are delighted that our suppliers are doing the same!
