The Director of the East Asian Institute, Professor Alfred Schipke, has urged Ghana to fully harness its renewable energy resources to generate electricity and reduce costs for both industries and residential users.
Professor Schipke, who also serves as Professor of Practice of International Finance at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, emphasized that Ghana should learn from China’s rapid advancement in green technology and its impact on the country’s energy transformation.
He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with energynewsafrica.com on the sidelines of the Africa–China Dialogue held in Accra on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
Highlighting China’s position as a global leader in producing affordable solar panels and renewable energy equipment, Professor Schipke noted that Ghana should swiftly take advantage of its abundant solar resources to significantly lower energy costs for citizens.
“Utilizing electricity generated from solar makes a lot of sense if you want to bring energy prices down,” he opined.
However, Professor Schipke cautioned that energy storage remains a major challenge for ensuring continuous power supply.
Supporting his remarks, Mr. Paul Frimpong, Executive Director of the Africa–China Centre for Policy and Advisory, called on Ghana to capitalize on solar, wind, and other renewable sources to reduce energy costs for consumers.
He also advocated for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to promote research and investment in the green energy ecosystem, thereby mitigating the environmental harms of fossil fuels and carbon emissions.
Similarly, Dr. Samuel Darkwa, Director of Governance and Administration at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), underscored the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement.
He argued that governments and opinion leaders in Ghana and across Africa must actively involve local communities in renewable energy planning to ensure that solutions meet real needs.
Without such consultations, he warned, unnecessary projects might be imposed, potentially hampering socio-economic progress.
The event also featured the launch of the 2025 IMF publication titled “Africa–China Linkages: Building Deeper and Broader Connections.”
It was attended by civil society groups, policymakers, governance experts, and media representatives, marking a significant platform for discussing sustainable development and economic cooperation.
Statistically, China’s renewable energy leadership is striking.
As of 2024, renewables accounted for 56 percent of China’s total power capacity—about 1.889 billion kilowatts, with solar contributing nearly 887 million kilowatts.
In 2023 alone, China added 217 gigawatts of solar capacity—a 55.2 percent increase that exceeded the entire historical U.S. solar capacity.
By mid-2025, the country had installed approximately 210 gigawatts of solar and 50 gigawatts of wind capacity, representing half of the world’s total renewable energy.
Ghana, too, is poised for a renewable energy revolution.
The country plans to expand its renewable capacity through solar, wind, and biomass projects.
Key initiatives such as the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Programme (SREP) will help electrify off-grid communities and promote rooftop solar across the country, transforming energy access and empowering citizens nationwide.
This vision provides a blueprint for Africa–China cooperation, driving a greener economic future that benefits populations, creates jobs, and fosters sustainable regional development.
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