Government is initiating a policy to get all public buildings and government institutions to run on solar energy. This forms part of plans to reduce the country’s energy bill.
Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo who was speaking at meeting with winners of the senior High school renewable energy challenge said apart from supporting private investors to go into sole production, government will also invest in research into renewable energy.
“Ghana is dealing with an annual energy debt of two-point-five billion cedis, which is money paid for excess power generated. The amount is a drain on the national budget as this is money that could have been for other development projects.”
According to the Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Marfo, government is encouraging research into renewable energy to ensure that government facilities run on solar in the shortest possible time.
The Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Oscar Amonoo Neizer said the renewable energy challenge will be an annual event and extended nationwide.
Ebenezer Senior High School at Dansoman won the first edition of the challenge and the contestants were there with their headmaster to present their trophies to the senior Minister.
Mr Osafo Marfo who was impressed with the performance of the students rewarded them with five thousand cedis.
The challenge is to develop the research skills of senior High School students and develop their passion for solving problems in the renewable energy sector.
Story filled by Doreen Ampofo.
