The Chairman of the Oil and Gas Sector at the Association of Ghana Industries, Kwame Jantuah, has emphasized the need for greater collaboration among renewable energy companies in Ghana. He made this call during the launch of the Renewable Energy Industry Platform in Accra, on the sidelines of the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition. The platform aims to bring together companies operating in the renewable energy sector to address industry challenges and engage with the government more effectively.
According to Jantuah, the fragmented nature of the industry has hindered renewable energy companies from presenting their concerns with a strong and coordinated voice. He stressed that a unified industry voice would improve engagement with the government and influence policy decisions. The Renewable Energy Industry Platform, he noted, would provide a forum for companies to discuss issues affecting the sector and develop common positions on policy and other industry concerns.
Ghana's current contribution of renewable energy to the power mix remains low, a situation Jantuah described as a concern that requires concerted action from industry and government. He advocated for policies that would encourage greater use of solar power in residential areas, which could help free up conventional electricity supplies for industrial users. This, he believes, would help accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in the country.
One of the major challenges facing the renewable energy sector in Ghana is the high cost of solar equipment, particularly batteries. Jantuah also raised concerns about the reliability of some solar-powered streetlights, citing a stretch of road near the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration as an example. The platform, he suggested, could help bring such challenges to the attention of relevant authorities and facilitate discussions aimed at finding solutions.
The launch of the Renewable Energy Industry Platform has garnered support from various stakeholders, including regulators and industry players. A speech read on behalf of Frederick Ken Appiah, Director of the Energy Commission, called for stronger collaboration between regulators and industry players to support the growth of Ghana's renewable energy sector. Effective regulation, he noted, should not be viewed merely as a restriction, but as a tool for building confidence among consumers and investors.
Prof George Agyei, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, also emphasized the need for strict adherence to quality and safety standards in the renewable energy sector. He noted that the growing renewable energy market required strong standards and conformity assessment systems to ensure that products and services entering the market were fit for purpose. This, he believes, would help build trust and confidence in the sector.
The Association of Ghana Industries is urging renewable energy companies, particularly those in the solar sector, to actively participate in the new platform and contribute their expertise and concerns. The platform, it is hoped, will help drive the growth of Ghana's renewable energy sector and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in the country. Key stakeholders are expected to work together to address industry challenges and develop effective solutions.
Key points
- The Association of Ghana Industries is calling for a unified renewable energy industry voice to influence policy and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in Ghana.
- The high cost of solar equipment and reliability concerns are major challenges facing the renewable energy sector in Ghana.
- The Renewable Energy Industry Platform aims to bring together companies operating in the sector to address challenges and engage with the government more effectively.
