The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), has exemplified the need for Ghana to explore and tap into renewable energy for industrial and economic turnaround.
The commission currently has their Eastern Regional office equipped with a 128KW capacity solar system that will augment the current thermal energy supplied by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Speaking at the commissioning of the project on Thursday 14 November, the Executive Director for PURC, Dr. Ishmael Ackah noted that it was about time Ghana optimized other renewable energy sources like the Wind and the Sun since Ghana has both in excess and on daily basis.
He said depending on only one source of energy, is not economically profitable adding that, in order to do this effectively Ghana needs the support of its development partners, citing the German International Development Agency GIZ as being the support for the installation of the solar system.
He said the GIZ has supported the PURC in various forms including the installation of Data loggers and sensors that enable them to monitor their operations in terms of energy tariff regulations.
He said energy transition goes beyond just cutting carbon but also comes with economic benefits.
“We are currently in the process of building a simulation center where researchers can use for their research on the exploration of renewable energy” he said noting that the commission has acquired a land at Nhyeaso in Kumasi for the constitution of the Greenhouse, a building that will generate its own electricity.
The Member of Parliament for New Juaben North, Honorable Kwesi Boateng Agyei charged government to turn to other renewable energy sources saying “we have a lot of sun, so we need to look at how we can use it to the benefit of the public”
The program was attended by representatives from PURCs partner institutions and organizations like the Ghana Water Company, the Electricity Company of Ghana, the Volta River Authority, the media and some members of the public including the Gyasehene of the New Juaben Traditional area.
