Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, on Thursday performed the groundbreaking ceremony to commence the construction of a 200-megawatt peak (MWp) solar project, christened the Norbert Anku Solar Park, at the Dawa Industrial Park near Ada in the Greater Accra Region.
The facility, named in honour of the late Mr. Norbert Cormla Djampos Anku, a former Managing Director of Enclave Power Ghana Limited who passed away in 2023, is being executed by SFI, a subsidiary of LMI Holdings Limited.
The project aims to ensure a reliable power supply for companies operating within the industrial enclave. It will be implemented in two phases, beginning with an initial 200MWp installation.
The first phase, with a capacity of 100MWp — representing about 2% of Ghana’s total power supply — is expected to be completed by December 2026, while the additional 100MWp will be added to the national grid within nine months thereafter.
The solar park is projected to be expanded to 1,000MWp by 2032, making it the largest and only private utility-scale solar farm in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa.
President Mahama, who was impressed by the company’s vision, said the Solar for Industries Initiative supports a broader environmental agenda and aligns with the Blue Water Guards, the Tree for Life Reforestation Programme, and the Clean Ghana Campaign.
“This is how development should work — one project generating many opportunities,” he noted.
The President added that the project symbolises growing investor confidence in Ghana and reflects his government’s ongoing reforms aimed at ensuring a win-win situation for both Ghana and the private sector.
“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.”
President Mahama explained that Ghana’s long-term energy vision rests on three pillars: sovereignty, sustainability, and security of supply.
“Sovereignty involves generating more of our energy locally and using the sun, wind, and water provided by nature to do so,” he said.
“As we pursue industrial growth, we must also restore our natural heritage. Our rivers must run clear, our forests must regenerate, and our communities must breathe clean and fresh air.”
He emphasised that such initiatives are already transforming Ghana, describing the SFI project as “not just a power plant, but a message that Ghana is prepared to lead the next phase of Africa’s industrial renaissance — energised by the sun, propelled by innovation, and upheld by our collective determination.”
“As we cut the sod, let us remember that every light that shines from this solar park will illuminate not just factories and homes, but the aspirations of millions of Ghanaians whose dreams rely on energy and power,” he remarked.
Mr. Kojo Aduhene, Chief Executive Officer of Quarm Investments, announced that upon completion, industries located within the Dawa Industrial Enclave that procure power from the project would enjoy a 10% discount.
He added that the project supports the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative, aligns with industrialisation, and demonstrates that Ghana remains open for business.
The project’s implementing partners include the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank, Enclave Power Company, John Murphy Construction (JMC), China International Water and Electric Corporation (CIWE), and SgurrEnergy.
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