THE Energy Commission will by the end of this year, commence the development of 55 renewable energy mini-grids and stand-alone PV solar systems across the country. At a cost of US$83 million, the project would be financed with a facility from the Climate Investment Fund of the World Bank.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Accra yesterday, Chief Programme Officer of Renewable Energy, Energy Commission, Frederick Ken Appiah, said the Commission would meet management of the Fund next month for a discussion on the final stage in the approval process.
The event was on the theme, “Promoting renewable energy for improved energy access and eco- nomic advancement: The role of public-private partnership.” Explaining the objectives of the project, he said it was to make electricity accessible to communities which were not connected to the national grid and ensure the realisation of the universal access to electricity by 2020 agenda.
In all, he said 400 communi- ties, 500 health centres and 1,350 schools were expected to be electrified following completion of the project. He said the commission and other partners have identified the communities and were currently in consultation with the leaders and residents for their inputs to ensure project targets are met.
On roof top solar project, he said the commission was working to extend power to 1,200 households this year with more than 200 households in the Eastern Region already benefitting from the project. Wisdom Ahiataku Togobo, Director of communities Energy, Ministry of Energy, said that high generation capacity but low demand for electricity as well as payment for idle capacity charges by utility companies were inimical to investment in renewable energy.
BY CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS
