Ghana is making strides in renewable energy with the commencement of a solar park project at Agortor, within the Dawa industrial zone in the Greater Accra Region.
President John Dramani Mahama yesterday cut the sod for the ambitious project, which is expected to become one of the largest solar installations in West Africa.
The project, led by Solar for Industries Limited, a subsidiary of Quarm Investments Limited, aims to achieve a capacity of 1,000 megawatts peak (MWp) by 2032.
Speaking at the event, President Mahama emphasized the significance of the project, stating that it marks a shift towards renewable industrial energy and will provide clean, stable, and affordable energy to Ghana’s manufacturing and export zones.
This is how development should work, one project generating many opportunities,” he noted. The president added that the project symbolises the growing investor confidence in Ghana and that the ongoing reforms by his government are aimed at ensuring a win-win situation for both Ghana and businesses.
“Let us build this project with integrity, speed, and purpose, so that when we return here to commission it, we can all say with pride that this is the dawn of Ghana’s clean industrial revolution.”
“This is the core of our 24-hour economy and industrial recovery program,” he said. The President also highlighted the government’s target to achieve a minimum of 15% renewable energy share by 2030, as outlined in the National Renewable Energy Master Plan.
The project is a testament to the power of public-private partnership, with collaboration between Solar for Industries, Quarm Investments, the International Financial Corporation, and technical partners EPC Constructors, a Chinese company.
Mr. Kojo Aduhene, CEO of Quarm Investments, hailed the project as a major milestone, expecting it to generate 2.5% of Ghana’s electricity needs.
The project implementing partners include the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, Enclave Power Company, John Murphy Construction (JMC), China International Water and Electric Corp (CIWE) and SgurrEnergy.
He pledged that, industries located in the Dawa Industrial Enclave taking power from them would enjoy a 10% discount.
He expressed gratitude to partners, including the President and the International Financial Corporation, which is supporting the project with $100 million.
The solar park project embodies the spirit of trust between government, investors, communities, and the environment, marking a significant step towards Ghana’s renewable energy goals.
