The deputy minister designate for Energy, Herbert Krapa has assured Ghanaians that current intermittent power supply will end in the next few days. The minister made this known at the commissioning of Phase 2 of the solar power plant at Kaleo in the Upper West Region .
Mr. Krapa who doubles as the Chairman of the governing board of the Electricity Corporation of Ghana (ECG) said “the Government has put in place immediate measures to ensure the return of uninterrupted supply of power to consumers. I can, therefore, state that the unfortunate power challenges Ghanaians are facing should be over in the next few days.”
“We are confident that the measures being put in place should resolve the service interruptions. We empathise with all consumers and apologise unreservedly for the effects of the outages on our daily lives. Please bear with us. We are fixing it and we are nearly there,” he added
President Akufo-Addo on his part reiterated Government’s commitment to invest continuously in the electricity transmission network, to enable the country to evacuate more renewable energy through the national grid to support the extension of electricity to all parts of the country.
“It is our intention to attain full electricity access by the end of this year, up from the current rate of 88.8%,” he stated.
With an additional capacity of 15MW, the Kaleo Solar Solar Power Plant now has about 28MW which underscores Ghana’s commitment to harnessing clean energy sources and building a sustainable future for generations to come.
Addressing a gathering of dignitaries, chiefs, and community members, President Akufo-Addo emphasised the importance of renewable energy in driving economic growth, mitigating climate change, and ensuring energy security for all citizens.
He praised the collective efforts of stakeholders, including the Chiefs and people of the Nadowli-Kaleo traditional area, the German Government, the Volta River Authority (VRA), and project contractors, for their invaluable contributions to the successful completion of the project.
Mr. Akufo-Addo continued that “I expect that, with this project in this community, corporate social responsibility programmes for Kaleo and its environment will be enhanced through the provision of social amenities by the appropriate authorities, including VRA.”
The President highlighted the strategic significance of Kaleo as a hub for renewable energy development, citing its rich natural resources and potential to attract investment and spur innovation in the region.
He reiterated Government’s commitment to incentivising green investments, promoting energy efficiency, and prioritising the development of solar, wind, and hydroelectric power projects as key strategies for the nation’s energy sector growth.
“Phase two of the Kaleo Solar Power Plant not only adds fifteen megawatts of clean energy to the national grid but also improves the quality of power supply in the Upper West Region”, the President said.
Furthermore, it is estimated to reduce national carbon emissions by nearly 8,917 tonnes, contributing to Ghana’s efforts to combat climate change and fulfil its international commitments. It will also promote practical studies in the development of solar power by the Technical Universities in the northern part of the country.
President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism about Ghana’s energy future, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and collective action in achieving sustainable development goals. He urged all stakeholders to uphold effective maintenance management practices to ensure the longevity and efficiency of renewable energy infrastructure, reaffirming his government’s dedication to building a brighter, greener future for all Ghanaians.
“By investing in renewable energy infrastructure, we are securing a reliable source of electricity and creating new opportunities for economic growth and job creation. This plant will not only power homes and businesses, but also serve as a catalyst for development in the Upper West Region, attracting investment and spurring innovation,” he added.
The President told the gathering that Government is implementing a series of policies and measures to incentivise green investments, foster a culture of energy efficiency, and prioritise the development of solar, wind, and hydroelectric power projects as key strategies for the growth of the energy sector in the country.
“The vision, however, is not only to be energy self-sufficient, but also to set the stage for Ghana to emerge as an eco-friendly country in the Region, inspiring neighbouring countries to follow suit in their pursuit of a greener, more energy-technology-centred in the future.”
Filed by: Adams Musa
