Akufo-Addo Cuts Sod For 17mw Solar Plant In Kaleo, Lawra

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, cut the sod for the construction of two solar power plants in Kaleo and Lawra, all in the Upper West Region, under the 17-megawatt peak solar power project.

According to President Akufo-Addo, this project reaffirms the commitment of his Government to diversify the country’s energy generation portfolio, and, thereby, help increase the renewable energy component of Ghana’s energy mix, and contribute to her fight against the effects of climate change.

With the solar project coming on the heels of the construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam and Irrigation Project, the 17-megawatt project is being funded the German Government’s Development Bank, KfW, at a cost of €22.8 million.

He stated that the project will “see to the construction of a 13-megawatt peak project in Kaleo and a 4-megawatt peak project in Lawra. This will help Ghana avoid an estimated seven thousand, four hundred (7,400) tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year; making our country a cleaner place to live in.”

He continued, “the project at Lawra is scheduled to be completed in June this year, with the one in Kaleo also scheduled to completed by December this year. When finished, both projects will generate enough energy to power some thirty-two thousand (32,000) households, and increase the geographic spread of power generation in the country.”

These solar power plants, the first of its kind in the Upper West Region, would mean that this Region also has its fair share of power generation assets in the country.

This, President Akufo-Addo stressed, will be the first grid-connected solar power plant in the Upper West Region, and he was, thus, expectant that it will serve as the impetus for the development of the region.

“The plants will also reduce the amount of energy that would have, hitherto, been transmitted from the hydro and thermal plants located in the south, and, thereby, help reduce transmission losses on our national grid. It will also create employment for our youth during the construction and operation stages of the project,” the President added.

Having been assured by the Volta River Authority that, jus

By: Graphic.com.gh