President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday gave a go-ahead for the construction of two solar power plants in Kaleo and Lawra, under the 17MW peak solar power project.
According to Ghana’s president, the project confirms the commitment of his government to diversify Ghana’s energy generation portfolio and in the long run, help increase the renewable energy component of the energy mix and contribute to the fight against the effects of climate change.
The €22.8 million 17MW solar power project is being funded by the German Government’s Development Bank, KfW. There is still ongoing construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and Irrigation Project.
He said that the project will see to the construction of a 4MW peak project in Lawra and a 13MW peak project in Kaleo.
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“This will help Ghana avoid an estimated 7,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year; making our country a cleaner place to live in. The project at Lawra is scheduled to be completed in June this year, with the one in Kaleo also scheduled to completed by December this year. When finished, both projects will generate enough energy to power some 32,000 households, and increase the geographic spread of power generation in the country.” Said Akufo-Addo
The Presiden stressed that the project will be the first grid-connected solar power plant in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
“The plants will also reduce the amount of energy that would have been transmitted from the hydro and thermal plants located in the south, and, thereby, help reduce transmission losses on our national grid. It will also create employment for our youth during the construction and operation stages of the project,” the President added.
Volta River Authority (VRA) gave an assurance that the solar plants will be operated and maintained by Ghanaians living in the region.
“I am looking forward to educational institutions in the Upper West Region bringing their students to see the practical demonstration of an operational solar plant. Students will have the opportunity to do their internships and National Service at these plants, thus, increasing their knowledge in the field of solar energy”, he said.
