By: Mabel Adorkor Annang
The Energy Commission has entered into agreement with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, to nurture renewable energy projects for schools which took part in the Commission’s Senior High School Renewable Energy challenge.
At the launch of the 4th edition of the challenge, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Mr. Oscar Amoono Neizer said the MoU will build on students’ projects for use in the real world.
The Energy Commission’s Senior High School Renewable Energy challenge is part of the Commission’s mandate under the Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832).
It is a directive to promote the development and efficient use of renewable energy resources through public education, training and regulation of entrepreneurs in the sector.
The challenge is also to ensure the mainstreaming of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and programmes into the curriculum of educational and training institutions.
The idea is to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to actively support the progress of renewable energy and shape a sustainable future. This competition is specifically centered on finding solutions pertaining to renewable energy, clean energy, and energy efficiency.
The winning project from the 2022 competition, a solar dehydrator, which was developed by Kpedze Senior High School, has been handed over to the CSIR to refine it for commercial purposes.
Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Oscar Amoono Neizer said “Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Challenge necessitates the continued development and commercialization of the students’ projects. Recognizing this imperative, the Commission has established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). “
Mr. Amonoo Neizer explained that the partnership will offer an opportunity for students, teachers, and schools to reap financial benefits from their projects.
The collaboration between the Commission and CSIR underscores the commitment to nurturing innovation and propelling these remarkable projects towards real-world implementation. Notably, the winning project from last year’s competition, a solar dehydrator, which was developed by Kpedze Senior High School, has been entrusted to the CSIR for further refinement and enhancement.
“This project when completed would be commercialized and promoted for use in processing agricultural produce” he intimated.
Speaking on the theme: “Mechanized Small-Scale Agriculture using Renewable Energy Technologies,” Deputy Minister for Education, Mrs. Gifty Twum Ampofo said the challenge is an opportunity to explore innovative ways to use renewable energy to enhance farming practices and promote sustainability.
“In this Challenge, participating schools are expected to develop projects in the field of agriculture that incorporate renewable energy technologies. This provides an opportunity to explore innovative ways in which renewable energy can be harnessed to revolutionize farming practices and promote sustainability.” She intimated.
Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Dr. Kwabena Tandoh encouraged the students to develop more renewable energy technologies for a brighter future for Small-Scale farmers.
The final product of the solar dehydrator project is expected to be showcased at the upcoming Energy Commission’s SHS Renewable Energy challenge finals on October 17, 2023.
Schools from all the 16 Regions will participate in the SHS Renewable Energy challenge. Meanwhile Presbyterian Boys SHS won the Greater Accra Competition after battling it out with eight schools in the region.