The Bui Power Authority has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding solar energy infrastructure to meet the growing electricity demands of Ghanaians.
During a working visit to the 50MW solar power plant in Yendi, Ing. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, CEO of the Bui Power Authority, emphasized the potential of solar energy in Ghana, given the country’s abundant sunshine.
He noted that renewable energy could play a crucial role in ensuring reliable power distribution.
“So this is what we are doing. Now, this project is not only for the solar. We are also constructing buildings to house the workers. We have a powerhouse here, which will ensure that the power is evacuated onto the critical line. And I want to say that Bui Power is very strategic in ensuring that we build more solar plants. God has blessed us with the sun and the sun, you don’t need to go and buy it before you produce the power.”
According to the CEO, the Bui Power Authority has also initiated a pilot project in wind energy as part of efforts to explore alternative energy sources in the near future.
“So we hope that here the land is enough to build 100 megawatts. So we are praying that when the contractor completes this first phase and we start selling, we’ll enter into another agreement with him to continue with another 50 megawatts to make it 100 megawatts. Today, as NEDCO will tell you, the whole northern region uses about 300 to 400 megawatts. Bui Power is going to give you 100 megawatts so that the electricity consumption and frequency in the northern region will be very smooth, this is what we have.”
The 50MW solar power plant, valued at $59 million, is being constructed by First Sky Limited under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction plus funding (EPC+F) project, with the authority expected to pay back the project amount within 8 years of operation.
He added, “Now, again, the good news is that because it’s a Ghanaian-owned company, everybody here is a Ghanaian. Bui Power has the experience to supervise design and ensure that we have solar plants, no matter the technology in this country.
“We are going to do that. We have also started to do pilot projects in wind so that we can be able to move fast in the track of renewable energy. And I want to say that we should understand that there is a limitation to solar.”
