The Government of Ghana has officially launched a landmark renewable energy project aimed at significantly expanding electricity access in some of the country’s most underserved communities.
The event, held in Lala, Sene East District, Bono East Region, marked the beginning of the Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Programme (SREP), which will provide clean and sustainable electricity to over 70,000 people.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, emphasized the initiative’s importance in transforming rural lives and bridging the energy divide.
“As a Ministry, we are not just installing solar panels or building infrastructure; we are lighting up lives, empowering communities, and bridging the rural-urban energy divide,” he said.
The SREP initiative will involve constructing 35 mini-grids and installing 1,450 solar home systems across the Bono East, Oti, and Savannah regions. Additionally, 12,000 net-metered rooftop solar PV systems will be installed nationwide to support Ghana’s transition toward a greener energy mix.
Hon. Jinapor acknowledged the resilience of remote communities without electricity and called on leaders and residents to actively participate in the construction and management of the new infrastructure. He urged the contractor to engage local artisans during the project.
The Minister highlighted the broader vision of achieving universal electricity access by 2030, revealing that feasibility studies have been completed for 150 island and lakeside communities in the Afram Plains, with plans underway to begin construction of 150 new mini-grids.
“We are confident that by 2030, we will have over 200 mini-grids operational, delivering on our last-mile electrification target of 99.8%,” he declared.
The launch was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from the Swiss Embassy, the African Development Bank, officials from the Volta River Authority, Electricity Company of Ghana, and the Energy Commission.
Hon. Jinapor expressed gratitude to the Swiss Government and African Development Bank (AfDB) for their continuous support. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Climate Investment Fund, Swiss Government, and the African Development Bank.
The Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Ing. Eunice Biritwum (Mrs.), pledged the Commission’s full support and commitment to the successful implementation of SREP.
The Chief Executive Officer of Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Edward Kenzo, reaffirmed VRA’s commitment to the long-term sustainability and efficient operation of the mini-grids.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, the Deputy Head of Cooperation, Magdalena Wust, reiterated Switzerland’s commitment to partnering with Ghana to achieve access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
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