Although the number of hours of sunshine in Ghana is somewhat lower than in desert countries such as Niger or Namibia at 1,800 to 2,100 hours per year, the stable solar radiation near the equator makes the country ideal for solar energy projects. Nevertheless, a great deal of education and information, i.e. pioneering work, is still required for the triumphant advance of sustainable and favourable energy generation.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is providing valuable support here. The first major event of a project development programme took place in Kumasi between 24 and 26 September. During the ‘Solar PV Reference Project Trip’, which was organised by GIZ and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, local companies from Bono, Bono East and Ahafo in the Ashanti region were addressed.
Financing was at the centre of the meeting
The two-day event (the third day was for individual meetings with interested parties) focussed on the question of how companies can gain access to PV solar systems and use and finance them to generate their own electricity. In addition to four companies from the solar industry (EWIA and Daystar Power Group as financiers and operators of solar plants), Green Power Brains and Beba Afrika (both as EPC providers), numerous interested manufacturing companies from the agricultural production and processing, fertiliser production, food processing and juice production sectors were also present.
In addition, political decision-makers such as
Hon. Collins Adomako-Mensah, Deputy Minister of Energy,
Mr Kwasi Ofori-Antwi, Senior Officer at the Ministry of Trade and Industry with special responsibility for anchor industries in Ghana,
Carlos Jerry Yawson, Renewable Energy Expert at the Accra Institute of Technology
Kwasi Nyamekye, Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)
as well as various bank representatives, including Fidelity Bank Ghana, Access Bank (Ghana) Plc, etc., took part in the event. EWIA's West Africa Director Dr Wolf-Dietrich Fugger was also present to strengthen existing contacts and generate new ones.
From theory...
The first day was characterised by presentations and panel discussions by representatives of the solar industry, other entrepreneurs, the representative of the Energy Commission Ghana (ECG) as the regulatory authority and politicians. There were some lively and heated discussions. In particular, the aim was to remove government barriers and simplify the regulations for the utilisation of solar power for companies.
... in practice
The second day was characterised by on-site visits to PV projects/solar plants. The visitors and interested parties were taken by coach to the various projects in Kumasi. There was a lively participation with many questions from the participants to the companies that use a solar system to generate electricity. EWIA presented the project of its customer Osko Lodge.
The GIZ Ghana team and the project development programme deserve great praise for their tireless support. Annette Ampeh, Technical Advisor, Renewable Energy Project Development Programme (PDP), Ing. Osei Louis (MEng, MSc, BEng), MC and moderator of the first day of the event and others.
In the meantime, further discussions and opportunities for co-operation have arisen with numerous participants.
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