Emmanuel Boakye Agyarko, Energy Minister
Minister of Energy, Emmanuel Boakye Agyarko, says Ghana has enormous renewable energy potentials which need to be tapped for rapid development.
According to him, there were potential for solar, wind and biomass to generate electricity which could be harnessed for the industries.
Mr Agyarko disclosed this in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of Ghana’s participation in Expo 2017, a renewable energy forum in Astana, Kazakhstan scheduled from June 10 to September 10, 2017 on the overall theme of “Future Energy.”
Government expects to unlock investments into Ghana’s renewable sector.
Ghana’s chosen theme for this year’s expo is ‘Ghana -Haven of Renewable Energy Resources.’
He reiterated government’s commitment to increasing the contribution of the renewable energy sector to 10 percent of the total power generation mix by 2020.
Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry, also in a speech read on his behalf, said Ghana’s participation in Astana would underscore government’s commitment to being an active player in the deployment of sustainable energy solutions through the use and expansion of the renewable energy sector.
He said the goal of government’s overall energy policy was to increase the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix of the country to 10 percent by 2020.
Mr Kyerematen said reliable, affordable, abundant and sustainable supply of energy and power was key to fulfilling government’s agenda of industrial transformation, job creation and economic growth.
He revealed that Ghana’s participation in the Astana Expo 2017 would enable the country to attract investors in the renewable energy sector to further explore the untapped renewable energy potential.
In a presentation on Renewable Energy in Ghana, Fred Appiah, an engineer at the Energy Commission, said Ghana’s renewable energy law provides the framework and the incentive regime for investors who are interested in the sector to make good returns on their investments.
By Samuel Boadi