The Bui Power Authority has reaffirmed its commitment to harnessing Ghana’s abundant sunshine to generate renewable energy and meet the country’s growing electricity demands.
During a recent visit to the 50MW solar power plant in Yendi, CEO Ing. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi highlighted the authority’s strategic plans to expand its solar capacity and explore alternative energy sources.
The $59 million 50MW solar power plant, currently under construction by First Sky Limited, is expected to be operational within eight years and will be repaid by the Bui Power Authority.
The project is part of the authority’s efforts to provide reliable power distribution to Ghanaians.
Dzamesi emphasised the significance of the project, stating, “So this is what we are doing. Now, this project is not only for the solar. We are also constructing buildings to house the workers.”
“We have a powerhouse here, which will ensure that the power is evacuated onto the critical line. And I want to say that Bui Power is very strategic in ensuring that we build more solar plants. God has blessed us with the sun and the sun, you don’t need to go and buy it before you produce the power.”
The CEO expressed optimism about the potential for expansion, saying, “So we hope that here the land is enough to build 100 megawatts. So we are praying that when the contractor completes this first phase and we start selling, we’ll enter into another agreement with him to continue with another 50 megawatts to make it 100 megawatts.”
“Today, as NEDCO will tell you, the whole northern region uses about 300 to 400 megawatts. Bui Power is going to give you 100 megawatts so that the electricity consumption and frequency in the northern region will be very smooth, this is what we have.”
Dzamesi highlighted the benefits of partnering with a Ghanaian-owned company, noting that Bui Power has the experience and expertise to supervise and design solar plants, regardless of technology.
He also announced that the authority has initiated pilot projects in wind energy to accelerate its transition towards sustainable power generation.
However, he acknowledged that there are limitations to solar power, emphasising the need for diversification and exploration of alternative energy sources.
“Now, again, the good news is that because it’s a Ghanaian-owned company, everybody here is a Ghanaian. Bui Power has the experience to supervise design and ensure that we have solar plants, no matter the technology in this country.
“We are going to do that. We have also started to do pilot projects in wind so that we can be able to move fast in the track of renewable energy. And I want to say that we should understand that there is a limitation to solar.”