- The Ghana Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Herbert Krapa, has Inaugurated Africa’s largest rooftop photovoltaic solar plant.
- Mr. Krapa emphasised that the project aligns with the government’s renewable energy vision.
The Ghana Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Herbert Krapa, has Inaugurated Africa’s largest rooftop photovoltaic solar plant, producing 16.8 megawatts of electricity, at the Tema Free Zones Enclave.
He praised Helios Solar Energy, a subsidiary of LMI Holdings, for its role in achieving the government’s renewable energy targets. The project, which covers an area of 100,000 square metres, is financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the IMF Group.
Also, Ghanaian engineers and technicians executed the construction, connection, and installation. He assured that the government would continue to provide an enabling environment and policies for private-sector renewable energy projects.
Mr. Krapa, wearing protective gear, climbed the three-storey rooftop to inspect the panels and turned on the switch for the USD17 million project to commence electricity provision.
He emphasised, however, the private sector’s crucial role in contributing to the government’s goal of 10 per cent renewable energy sources in the nation’s energy mix by 2030.
“This project underscores the power of the private sector to contribute to the government’s agenda in bringing growth, prosperity, and development to the people,” Mr. Krapa stated. He revealed, “Apart from enhancing electricity supply, it will lead to the reduction of CO2 emissions.”
However, mr Krapa highlighted the socio-economic benefits, noting that the project creates greener and more sustainable jobs and helps meet nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement. It also introduces skills and technology to young engineers involved in its development and maintenance.
Regarding its impact on the industry, Mr Krapa said: “It will contribute to reduced cost of power in industry and position the manufacturing sector in very competitive stead. Over time, solar energy leads to reduced costs in the mix.”
Likewise, Mr Krapa emphasised that the project aligns with the government’s renewable energy vision. he added, “We have developed a national energy transition framework aiming for a net zero pathway by 2060.”
Furthermore, Mr Krapa announced that the government had modelled the National Energy Transition Framework into an investment plan launched by the president during the UN General Assembly last year. This requires several projects and implementation plans must succeed.