According to Mr. Andrew Mercer, the deputy minister of energy of Ghana, renewable energy sources would help electrify remote and underserved communities.
In a statement headlined, “Unlocking new value with reforms, investments, and technology,” which was made public on Monday following the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference in Lagos, he made this assertion.
The conference, which was organized by Informa Markets, focused on Ghana’s electrification initiatives as well as the energy forecast for West Africa and plans to link the region’s electrical grids.
He stated that despite Ghana’s current electricity rate is 88%, the country has set an objective of achieving universal energy access by 2024.
“To achieve this, the government has committed to electrifying 200 islands and 2,000 lakeside communities, a move that will provide power to 1.5 million people,” Mercer said in his speech. Ghana intends to use island settlements that are difficult to access with decentralized renewable energy sources. Ten thousand people are already served by five operating mini-grids, and three more are currently being built to eventually service 6,000 more.
He emphasized that Ghana supported the use of renewable energy, adding that cutting back on the consumption of fossil fuels would lessen the effects of climate change as well as the negative effects of large-scale hydroelectric projects.
“To achieve this, the government has committed to electrifying 200 islands and 2,000 lakeside communities, a move that will provide power to 1.5 million people,” Mercer said in his speech. Ghana intends to use island settlements that are difficult to access with decentralized renewable energy sources. Ten thousand people are already served by five operating mini-grids, and three more are currently being built to eventually service 6,000 more.
He emphasized that Ghana supported the use of renewable energy, adding that cutting back on the consumption of fossil fuels would lessen the effects of climate change as well as the negative effects of large-scale hydroelectric projects.
Additionally, the recently passed Electricity Act 2023 was a step in the right way for the nation, said Mr. Ade Yesufu, Exhibition Director, Nigeria Energy, adding that players in the Energy industry were able to interact and discuss the next steps to actualize the aim.
Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference, according to Yesufu, “was able to provide the opportunity as a platform for local players and foreign investors that proffer insights solutions to the challenges that have been limiting the industry.”
He continued by saying, “As the premier Energy platform event in Nigeria and West Africa, we welcome the support of the Ministry of Power, particularly with the effort to unlock new value utilizing reforms, investments, and technology.
