Solar power solution to Ghana’s energy challenges — Hertzberg
The Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana, Hege Hertzberg, has stated that solar power is the solution to the challenges facing Ghana in the energy sector.
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She also said that Ghana had enough raw materials to generate electricity using solar technology.
Ambassador Hertzberg stated that in Accra at a stakeholders’ forum organised by Scatec Solar to make known their intentions to generate electricity in Ghana using solar technology.
Ms Hertzberg noted that solar energy was friendly to the environment compared to hydro and wind power.
She told participants at the forum that solar energy could generate electricity on both large and small scales and she further touted the merits of solar energy “as the best tool for an effective rural electrification programme.”
Touching on the cost of operating a solar energy project, Ms Hertzberg admitted that the cost for generating power using solar energy was a challenge but informed participants that the prices for panels and batteries over the years had reduced, thereby reducing the cost of installation.
The Norwegian Ambassador also said that solar energy could complement the use of hydro power in case of water shortages at the hydroelectric dams.
Speaking at the stakeholder’s forum, Senior Vice-President of Scatec Solar (a Norwegian based solar energy firm), Mr Terje Osmundsen stated that Scatec Solar had completed and unveiled Africa’s largest solar project in South Africa which would add about 75 Megawatts to the national grid of South Africa.
According to Mr Osmundsen, the application of solar energy in Ghana would reduce the over reliance of crude oil in electricity production.
He also stated that Scatec Solar would by next year begin a comprehensive process to establish a solar power plant in Ghana.
He added that Scatec Solar had a local content policy where majority of their staff were recruited from the local community they operated in.
Mr Osmundsen averred that the installation of a solar power plant in South Africa by Scatec Solar had led to a downward review of electricity tariffs.
The Chief Operations Officer of Scatec Solar, Mr Terje Pilskog, told participants that the construction of a solar power plant in Ghana would ensure consistent supply of electricity to the local industries.
He noted that Scatec Solar was committed to the construction of a solar power plant in Ghana.