The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has commissioned a 13-megawatt solar power plant in Kaleo in the Nadowli-Kaleo District of the Upper West Region.
The plant is the second of the two solar power projects being carried out in the region; the first being the Lawra 6.5-megawatt solar power plant.
The project, implemented by the Volta River Authority (VRA), was constructed by a Spanish firm, Elecnor S.A and funded by the German Government’s Development Bank, KfW.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony to put the facility to use, President Akufo-Addo said the completion of the project is in fulfilment of his promise to the people, and that generation of solar power is an indication of government’s commitment to increasing electrification coverage and renewable energy utilization.
“You’ll recall that in February 2020, before the conduct of the 2020 general elections, I was here in Kaleo to cut the sod for the commencement of this project which was the first phase of what will eventually be a 28-megawatt plant here at Kaleo.
“As pledged, this project has been duly completed reiterating government’s commitment to diversify further the country’s entire generation portfolio and increasing the nation’s renewable energy generation reach,” he stated.
He emphasized that the use of solar power together with other energy-efficient and environment-friendly interventions well demonstrates government’s contribution to the Glasgow Conference of the Parties (COP26) pact.
President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism that industries and other facilities which could be established in the Upper West Region due to the unavailability of reliable and affordable electricity could not be established in the region.
He stated that “renewable energy is an answer to poverty eradication, improved livelihoods and a catalyst for socio-economic development.”
He added that the project would increase the geographical spread of electricity access, improve the resilience of power systems, stabilize voltage levels and reliability in electricity supply and ultimately reduce carbon emissions in the region and the nation at large.
He indicated that the solar power plant would not only preserve the environment but also ease the recurrent financial burden in the delivery of electricity to the Ghanaian populace.
Naa Dikomwine Domalae, the President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, noted with pride the enormous benefits of the solar power plant including widened rural electrification and rural industrialization for increased development.
“It is a game changer and the people of the Upper West Region must applaud the President and his administration for this feat,” he intimated.
While thanking the president for the interventions carried out in the region, Naa Domalee further called on the President for more interventions to promote the living standards of the people.
The Board Chairman of the Volta River Authority, Mr Kofi Tutu Agyare, noted that the continuous support of the government has yielded additional funding to construct the second phase of the project of 15-megawatt capacity.
He assured the people of the area that they would enjoy improved electricity supply and expressed conviction that “Dumsor” would become a thing of the past, with the coming into operation of the solar power plant.
He disclosed that the project, as part of its corporate social responsibility, would rehabilitate the Kaleo primary school and provide sanitation facilities for the school.
He added the VRA would continue to grant access to the Technical University students to undertake practical, industrial studies on solar power generation at the facility.
Present at the commissioning ceremony was the Spanish and German Ambassadors to Ghana, various sector ministers, government officials, traditional authorities and significant others.