GHANA – Helios Solar Company (Helios), a member of LMI Holdings, has started the installation of rooftop solar to generate 16.82 megawatts (MW) of power.
This venture, slated for completion by January 2024, marks one of Africa’s largest rooftop solar projects and the world’s second-largest. Expectedly, it will diminish the country’s annual carbon emissions by about 11,000 tonnes.
The project entails deploying 29,252 cutting-edge N-type technology solar panels across a roofed expanse spanning 95,000 square metres, roughly equivalent to 20 football fields.
Situated atop the International Warehousing Company’s Mega-warehouse within Tema Free Zones, it is financially backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), forming part of a US$30 million clean power and water initiative with LMI Holdings.
This partnership aims at fostering job creation and driving greener, more sustainable, and competitive industrial development within Ghana.
The setup involves various components—panels, inverters, racking, and solar battery storage units—installed by a workforce of 128 Ghanaian engineers, electricians, and support staff employed directly for the project. This skilled team expects completion by month-end.
During a recent visit to the facility alongside Deputy Herbert Krapa, Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh emphasized the substantial contribution this plant will make toward achieving Ghana’s renewable energy goal of 10 percent by 2030.
Notably, he highlighted its private sector-driven nature, IFC support, absence of the need for sovereign guarantees, and the government’s role in policy alteration to endorse embedded energy generation, fostering private sector initiatives.
Dr Prempeh underscored the policy’s purpose—to address system gaps and promote the welfare of Ghanaians.
Expressing delight in observing an all-Ghanaian team, he envisioned this plant as a learning ground for students and artisans, offering hands-on experience in solar installation.
Moreover, the minister foresees it as an opportunity for local electricians to upgrade their skills for solar installation and maintenance.
He explained that the generated energy would integrate into the local grid within Enclave Power’s utility zone.
Commending IFC for supporting local industries and believing in Ghana’s potential, Dr Prempeh noted that expanding solar systems would create more employment opportunities, thus contributing to the green economy.
Kyle Kelhofer, Senior Country Manager for Ghana, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s rapid progress with LMI, witnessing job creation and the private sector’s pivotal role in steering Ghana toward a greener, more prosperous, and sustainable future within a little over a year.
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