The Energy Commission of Ghana has launched the seventh edition of its flagship Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge, with 17 schools from across the country set to participate in this year’s “Champion of Champions” competition.
The initiative, which began in 2019 with six schools in the Greater Accra Region, has grown into a nationwide platform that promotes renewable energy innovation and nurtures future leaders in the green economy.
Held under the theme, “Harnessing Renewable Energy to Power Ghana’s 24-Hour Green Economy,” this year’s competition, dubbed “Champion of Champions,” brings together students from 17 senior high schools across the country to showcase practical energy solutions.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Chris Nanabanyin Valley, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, said the programme represents a collective commitment to harnessing the creativity and ingenuity of Ghanaian students to build a more sustainable future.
Mr. Valley noted that over the years, the challenge has showcased the ability of young people to identify community challenges and develop practical renewable energy solutions to address them.
He cited success stories from previous editions, including projects on microbial fuel cells, clean cooking technologies, mechanised agriculture, and solutions aimed at addressing land degradation and water pollution.
He added that the 2025 edition attracted more than 120 schools nationwide, highlighting the growing impact of the initiative.
Mr. Valley said the introduction of the Champion of Champions category marks a major milestone, bringing together past winners and top-performing schools to compete at a higher level of innovation and excellence.
He explained that this year’s theme reflects Ghana’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive 24-hour economy powered by sustainable energy solutions.
Board Chairman of the Energy Commission, Prof. John Gartchie Gatsi, emphasised that Ghana’s ambition for a 24-hour economy requires reliable electricity for all communities and urged students to design solutions for farmers, market women and rural health workers.
Mr. Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, lauded the Commission’s SHS Renewable Energy Challenge for nurturing the next generation of renewable energy experts and innovators in Ghana.
He noted that students across the country have, over the years, developed practical solutions to challenges in agriculture, clean cooking, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
He said that although Ghana has achieved nearly 90 per cent electricity access, many remote and underserved communities still lack reliable power due to the high cost of extending the national grid.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah noted that renewable energy technologies such as solar systems, mini-grids and biomass solutions present practical opportunities to bridge the gap while supporting economic growth and environmental sustainability.
The Deputy Minister encouraged participating students to view the competition as more than an academic exercise and challenged them to think like engineers, entrepreneurs and policymakers capable of developing innovative solutions to national challenges.
“I urge you to design projects that are technically sound, financially viable, scalable and socially impactful. This competition should serve as a platform for discovering future renewable energy and energy technology experts,” he emphasised.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah commended the Commission for introducing the Champion of Champions concept and conducting a six-year impact assessment of the programme, describing it as evidence of its commitment to measuring progress in renewable energy adoption, STEM education and community development.
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