A private firm Helios Solar Company (Helios), a subsidiary of LMI Holdings is constructing 16.82 MWp rooftop solar at the Tema Freezone enclave in the Republic of Ghana.
This would be the largest rooftop solar project in Africa upon completion.
Currently, Cornubia Mall’s 5.25 MWp rooftop solar in Durban, South Africa is Africa’s largest rooftop solar project.
The project is intended to supply power to Helios and its partners.
It is funded by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as part of an all-encompassing $30 million clean power and water deal with LMI Holdings to support job creation and greener, more sustainable, and more competitive industrial development in the country.
The PV Solar project is designed and engineered by Ghana-based solar energy firm, Dutch and Co. who are the PV EPC and O&M contractor, and whose work involves the installation of the solar system using 29,261 solar panels of the latest N-type technology across a rooftop area of 92,000m2 of the IWC Mega-warehouse located in the Tema Freezone.
A total of 128 Ghanaian nationals are directly employed in the implementation of the solar project.
It is projected that the solar system will produce 24,750 MWh of clean, stable and sustainable electricity annually, and will reduce Ghana’s emissions by approximately 11,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, contributing to Ghana’s efforts to address the negative impact of climate change on the country.
Last week, Ghana’s Minister for Energy Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh paid a working visit to the project site.
He expressed his delight at the project and his continued support.
Chief Executive Officer of LMI Group Holdings, Kojo Aduhene, said the achievement by Helios Solar represents a significant milestone for the company and underscores its commitment to facilitating Ghana’s industrialization ambitions.
“As an indigenous Ghanaian company, LMI is committed to the task of facilitating Ghana’s industrialisation ambitions and boosting exports. This partnership with IFC gives LMI the means and space to make big bets in Ghana and beyond.
Through this investment, the project will demonstrate how the private sector can bring effective solutions to development challenges.
Helios Solar of LMI Holdings seek to support Ghana’s industrialisation ambitions for a greener and more sustainable future and support job creation,” said Mr. Aduhene.
Kyle Kelhofer, IFC’s Senior Country Manager for Ghana, also said “This project demonstrates how the private sector can bring effective solutions to development challenges and support job creation.
Through this investment, IFC’s first that is funding both infrastructure and development in an industrial special economic zone in sub-Saharan Africa, IFC is supporting Ghana’s industrialization ambitions for a greener and more sustainable future”.
Commenting on the solar rooftop project, Dutch and Co.’s General Manager said, “According to the World Economic Forum, the African continent has huge solar energy potential which is significantly untapped.
We are proud to be playing our part in changing this narrative by designing and installing what will be Africa’s largest solar rooftop project on behalf of Helios and LMI Holdings and to assist Ghana in meeting its climate change targets.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com