A diesel generator (genset) supplies backup or prime electrical power to a cashew processing plant when grid supply is unreliable or absent — a common reality across West Africa, East Africa and parts of Asia. Cashew Tech sources, sizes and specifies gensets built around a Cummins engine (Cashew Tech procures and integrates the engine; it does not manufacture it).
The genset is sized to the plant’s connected load, and generator rating in kVA = kW ÷ 0.8 (0.8 power factor). The buyer chooses a prime rating (continuous running as main power) or a standby rating (grid-backup only), and can add auto-start / ATS so the set fires automatically on a grid outage — critical for steaming, drying and cold-store continuity.
Why Cummins
A Cummins engine is chosen for reliability, parts availability and a wide service network — important when a plant runs in a remote processing region and downtime stops the whole line.
How we size it
Sizing starts from the connected load: the sum of running kW across motors, steaming, drying, humidification, lighting and cold store. Apply the power-factor conversion — kVA = kW ÷ 0.8 — then add a margin for motor starting currents and future expansion. Indicative kVA figures are only confirmed after a connected-load study; see plant cost for how power fits the budget.
Prime vs standby, and auto-start
Choose prime where the genset is the main supply, standby where it backs up the grid. An ATS (automatic transfer switch) with auto-start gives a seamless changeover on an outage — no manual intervention, no interrupted steaming or drying cycle.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | Cummins (sourced & integrated) |
| Sizing basis | Plant connected load |
| kVA formula | kVA = kW ÷ 0.8 (0.8 PF) |
| Rating | Prime or standby |
| Auto-start | Optional ATS |
| Enclosure | Canopy/acoustic or open-set (per order) |
| Genset kVA by plant size | Confirmed after load study |
All numeric sizing is confirmed after a connected-load study — no kVA or fuel-burn figures are guessed.
Genset + electrical panel: one supply
The genset ties into the main electrical control panel — see the electrical & PLC panel page — so power, distribution and protection are engineered together as part of the turnkey plant.
What we need to quote
Share your connected load (or single-line diagram), grid availability, and whether you want prime or standby with ATS. Cashew Tech then specifies and sources the right genset. Start with a free load-sizing consultation. Weighing renewables too? See should you go solar? — a genset pairs well with daytime solar.