GOVERNMENT TO INSTALL SOLAR PANNELS IN INDUSTRIAL ENCLAVES

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, PURC, has kick started the processes of providing major industrial enclaves in the country with solar power supply, as part of long term measures to reduce the hash impact of the prevailing energy crisis on such key players in the national economy. 

To start with, officials of the PURC have toured the Sokoban Wood Village and the Suame Light Industrial Area, popularly known as the Suame Magazine, in Kumasi to ascertain the prospects of the roof top solar panel installation. 

They as well interacted with the workers of the two industrial enclaves to learn at first hand, their major concerns in the provision of critical public utilities required for enhanced productivity. 

The team was led by the Executive Secretary, Samuel Sarpong and the Director of External and Corporate Affairs of the Commission, Nana Yaa Gyantua. 

Mr. Sarpong explained that Ghana is now shifting her focus on hydro energy generating sources to mainly thermal and solar, which are good alternatives.

 According to him, Ghana currently has limited water sources for the hydro energy power for various reasons. 

However, the availability in abundance of sunshine in all parts of the country makes solar energy generation another viable source of reliable power generation and supply. 

According to the PURC’s Executive Secretary, thermal energy, which depends on natural gas, is also one major area being given attention except that Ghanaians must be prepared to pay for its generation since it is cost intensive. 

Mr. Sarpong blamed the energy crisis on factors such as insufficient water to power the Akosombo and the Kpong hydro generation dams, saying that the water level is such that if the rains do not fall to expectation, it could be closed down. 

Also, there is higher power demand over the years compared to the generation capacity which requires sufficient time to bridge for which government is working very hard to achieve.

 The Director of External and Corporate Affairs of the PURC, Nana Yaa Gyantua, told newsmen that the team is touring all the major industrial enclaves in the country to conscientize the workers about the solar energy projects and that very soon a team of experts will be constituted to begin the actual feasibility studies for the actual implementation to start. 

She acknowledged the serious impact that the energy crisis is having on small scale businesses hence the steps being taken to address their concerns.