By Dominic Hlordzi
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition will soon launch a bold renewable energy project to offer electricity to 150 island and lake communities across the country.
The initiative is part of efforts to reduce energy poverty in communities that are not on the national grid and expand universal electricity access to over 99 percent by 2030.
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Mr. John Jinapor, said this when he and the Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simon Giger, jointly inaugurated three mini-grid electrification facilities at Aflivie, Azizakpe and Alorkpem islands in Ada.
Mr. John Jinapor said it is government’s vision to provide electricity access to everyone, irrespective of their geographical location.
He said the three mini-grids are not just a project for infrastructure but a promise fulfilled.
The Minister noted that with the provision of electricity, the lives of the people in the three island communities will be transformed socially and economically.
On pricing of the power generated from the mini-grids, Mr. Jinapor explained that the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has been asked to incorporate the mini-grids into the National Grid tariff arrangements to ensure that some revenue is raised for the maintenance of the facilities.
He thanked the Swiss Embassy, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affiars, SECO and the project implementation committee for ensuring a successful execution of the project.
The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Simon Giger, was excited about the completion of the project, saying the mini-grids symbolise the Swiss Government’s commitment to helping Ghana to achieve Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“It is a historic occasion to now power the three communities.”
She also commended the project implementation committee for working hard to successfully implement the project.
Ambassador Giger also commended the project implementation committee for their hard work and expressed confidence in the Volta River Authority (VRA), which will oversee the management of the mini-grids.
A representative of the Ada Traditional Council, Nene Eric Ametor Quayme, on behalf of the people of Aflivie, Azizakpe and Alorkpem islands, thanked government and the Swiss Government for the project and pledged the people’s commitment to contribute to the maintenance of the facilities.
Background Information on the mini-grids
The facilities will generate a total of 253.26 Kilowatts power for the three islands.
Beneficiary communities breakdown:
1. Aflivie- 108.54 Kilowatts power (KWp)
2. Alorkpem 72.36 Kilowatts power (KWp)
3. Azizakpe 72.36 Kilowatts power (KWp)
Access Covered
A total of 609 customers have been connected under the project: 295 in Aflivie, 187 in Alorkpem and 127 in Azizakpe, providing electricity access to approximately 3,700 people across the three communities.
Project Technical Details
The systems are powered entirely by renewable energy, featuring solar PV generation, low-voltage distribution networks and state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery storage.
A backup generator (genset) is included to supply power when the renewable system cannot meet demand.
The project will enable productive use of energy (PUE) opportunities in the communities, including water pumping and treatment, small-scale irrigation, operation of provision shops, corn milling, fish processing, dressmaking, hairdressing and salons.
It will also support electricity access to education, religious activities and community development.
Since the creation of the Volta River most island communities that were formed have existed for more than 60 years without access to electricity.
With a Project Financing Agreement, the Swiss Confederation, through SECO, under the Ghana Electricity Sector Support Project, Aflivie, Azizakpe and Alorkpem in the Ada East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region now have access to electricity.
Eight mini-grids have so far been installed across the country leveraging solar technology.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) is in charge of the management of mini-grids.
