A 50-megawatt solar power station in the Yendi Municipality of Ghana's Northern Region has started supplying electricity to the national grid. The plant was developed by First Sky Limited, a local company, in partnership with the Bui Power Authority. This project is seen as a demonstration of Ghanaian expertise in delivering large-scale energy initiatives without foreign contractors. The solar plant's connection to the grid is expected to improve power reliability in the region.
The project was conceived, designed, and built by local experts, with construction beginning in December 2023 and completing in September 2026. Technical tests were conducted on September 11, 2026, and full commercial operations commenced on September 29, 2026. The project was executed under an Engineering, Procurement and Construction with Financing arrangement, which allowed First Sky Limited to both build the facility and arrange its financing.
The solar plant's integration into the grid required the construction of a 4-kilometre, 161-kilovolt transmission line linking the solar farm to the Tamale-Yendi transmission network. Additionally, a 66-megavolt-ampere transformer was installed to facilitate the connection. The Ghana Grid Company Limited carried out the connection work, ensuring a seamless integration of the plant into the national grid.
The Yendi solar plant is designed to withstand the region's high temperatures and dust loads, with mechanised boreholes installed to enable panel cleaning during the dry season and harmattan months. According to Ing. Peter Acheampong, Director of Engineering at Bui Power Authority, this feature ensures the plant's optimal performance and longevity. The plant is also expected to support economic activity and job creation in the host community.
Members of Parliament's Select Committee on Energy and Mines inspected the completed plant on October 26, 2026, and expressed their satisfaction with the project. The Committee's chair, Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, praised First Sky Limited and Bui Power Authority for demonstrating that local expertise could handle a utility-scale solar project of this size. He also hoped that the company would be considered for further solar contracts.
The addition of the Yendi solar plant to the grid mix comes as concerns persist over Ghana's power reliability. The plant is expected to contribute to the country's renewable energy targets, with Ranking Member Hon. George Kwame Aboagye calling for a national strategy to direct more solar investment to the north. The region's solar resources are seen as a potential lifeline for Ghana's renewable energy ambitions.
Charles Edem Gidi, who chaired the project's implementation committee, credited GRIDCo, funding partners, equipment suppliers, and the chiefs and people of Yendi for their cooperation in delivering the project. The successful completion of the Yendi solar plant marks a significant step in Ghana's energy transition, with the potential to support economic growth and development in the region.
Key points
- The 50MW solar plant in Yendi was built entirely by local experts, demonstrating Ghanaian ingenuity in the renewable energy sector.
- The plant's connection to the grid is expected to improve power reliability in the region and support economic activity and job creation.
- The project marks a significant milestone in Ghana's energy transition, with the potential to contribute to the country's renewable energy targets.
