ACCRA: Ghana has launched West Africa’s largest floating solar project, marking a significant step towards increasing its renewable energy capacity. The country aims to raise its share of renewable energy from the current 1 per cent to 10 percent by 2030, reported allafrica.com. The pioneering 5-megawatt floating solar installation is situated on the Black Volta River and was engineered by Ghanaian engineers from the Bui Power Authority (BPA).
The innovative project showcases Ghana’s commitment to leveraging clean energy and reducing its carbon footprint, the report filed by Michael Sarpong Mfum for the news portal said.
The floating solar power plant is a groundbreaking solution that utilises photovoltaic modules on water bodies, optimising land use while enhancing the efficiency of the solar panels. Additionally, it helps conserve water by reducing evaporation from the surface. This technology can be deployed on ponds, lakes, reservoirs, or other water bodies.
The successful completion of this project aligns with Ghana’s National Energy Plan, supporting the goal of increasing renewable energy penetration by 10 per cent by 2030. Deputy Director of Renewable Energy at the Bui Power Authority, Peter Acheampong, stated “We have completed the 5-megawatt project, and it is already generating power.”
Acheampong further revealed plans to expand the floating solar project: “There are plans to scale it up to approximately 65 megawatts. At BPA, our expansion efforts are guided by the country’s renewable energy master plan,” he explained.
The Bui Power Authority (BPA) has made remarkable progress in the renewable energy sector. Before the floating solar project, the BPA commissioned its solar farm in 2020, which is generating 50 megawatts of power. The two projects cost $48 million.
Diversified mix
These solar plants are playing a crucial role in diversifying Ghana’s energy mix and increasing its renewable energy production. Other notable solar power plants successfully commissioned and operational in Ghana include the Kaleo Solar Power Plant (13 megawatts), Lawra Solar Plant (6.5 megawatts), and Navrongo Solar Plant (2.5 megawatts). The three projects cost €50.8 million. Individuals are increasingly investing in renewable energy. Helios Solar Energy has commissioned Africa’s largest rooftop solar installation, a 16.82-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) plant financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group at a cost of $17 million.
BPA’s future plans
The Bui Power Authority (BPA) has designated six locations for future solar projects: Bawku, Yendi, Tumu, Sawla, Buipe, and Zebilla, all in the northern part of the country.
