Africa’s largest solar plants to be built in W/R

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fuck 10 years ago

ITS A CURSE TO LEARN POLITICS IN GHANA.. CORRUPT FOOLS AND THIEVES.. FOOLS

ITS A CURSE TO LEARN POLITICS IN GHANA.. CORRUPT FOOLS AND THIEVES.. FOOLS
Don Blunt 10 years ago

It would make more sense to build Wind Turbines in the Western Region, and Solar Plants in the Upper Regions.
But in Ghana, things are done at the mercy of corruption and arrogance, instead of commonsense

It would make more sense to build Wind Turbines in the Western Region, and Solar Plants in the Upper Regions.
But in Ghana, things are done at the mercy of corruption and arrogance, instead of commonsense
CV 10 years ago

Please don´t use fertile soil for solar plants, but rather on non-farm-able soils, build this in the north.

Please don´t use fertile soil for solar plants, but rather on non-farm-able soils, build this in the north.
Ghanababa! 10 years ago

Good investments but where was the panels bought form? Was it from the Ghana manufacturer? If it is. Blavoooooo but if not... Enemy of progress. Since you have the economic insight, you may do the right thing to bargain the l ...
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Good investments but where was the panels bought form? Was it from the Ghana manufacturer? If it is. Blavoooooo but if not... Enemy of progress. Since you have the economic insight, you may do the right thing to bargain the local producer to help crete jobs. this is what Ghana needs now to achieve your forecasted outlook! Thanks for the initiative but could something else produce the energy cheaply? Say water and sun?
Sankofa 10 years ago

You are right as regards obtaining panels locally.

However, we need to manufacture the panels first. I believe KNUST and Koforidua Poly have produced prototype solar panels. We must encourage investment in these panels and ...
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You are right as regards obtaining panels locally.

However, we need to manufacture the panels first. I believe KNUST and Koforidua Poly have produced prototype solar panels. We must encourage investment in these panels and their development as a basis of a solar industry in our country.

What deters people from going solar is the high upfront cost of installation; they do not consider that it works out cheaper than generators over time.

Mass producing solar panels locally would help bring down unit costs. Gov't could help by expanding the pilot scheme through which excess solar energy produced domestically is sold to the national grid.
UNMISGUIDED AFRICAN CHILD... 10 years ago

...AND AFRICA,WOULD ULTIMATELY DEVELOP THE NATION-CONTINENT.

If white people had the SUN,as bountiful as we do,they would never have built Nuclear Plants.

Any admnistration that embarks on Solar Projects-Plants in Ghana ...
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...AND AFRICA,WOULD ULTIMATELY DEVELOP THE NATION-CONTINENT.

If white people had the SUN,as bountiful as we do,they would never have built Nuclear Plants.

Any admnistration that embarks on Solar Projects-Plants in Ghana will
transform our economy into a near first world status in no time.

THe LACK of transfer of Tecnology from the White World to the Black and most Asian Worlds created the so-called 3rd World.For example:
In post world war 2 the American Marshall Plan
that Re-constructed Europe was only designed to assist their white cousins.It was never meant to include us.
Our Great and Noble African,Dr Kwame Nkrumah's eagerness to accelerate our development, compelled him initiate-build The Atomic Energy Reactor,a nuclear plant that would set the ground work for Solar-Plants.But the CIA quickly took him out.

If Mahama's Admnistration wants to make a mark in development,they should
seriously consider investing in SOLAR-PLANTS...to enhance and embark on industry-base economy for the Nation.

BUILDING SOLAR-PLANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME.THE GOVERNMENT MUST ACT NOW.
Sankofa 10 years ago

Yes, we should invest in solar energy to supplement our energy production.

We also need to diversify our energy sources by investing in thermal, biomass and wind power, for all of which we have abundant raw material.

Th ...
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Yes, we should invest in solar energy to supplement our energy production.

We also need to diversify our energy sources by investing in thermal, biomass and wind power, for all of which we have abundant raw material.

This is a must to meet our increasing energy needs.
Kweku Boateng Jnr 10 years ago

Absolute right! Can Government encourage estate developers to add solar energy. The price of panels is falling fast, Ghana needs to move fast and take the lead in West Africa, our educational centres need to add solar and oth ...
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Absolute right! Can Government encourage estate developers to add solar energy. The price of panels is falling fast, Ghana needs to move fast and take the lead in West Africa, our educational centres need to add solar and other renewable energy. Hope the MPs and ministers are reading the good points by Sankofa and others. Our democracy can only go to the next stage with more energy.
Old boy 10 years ago

P Forjoe, more grease to your elbows!

May I congratulate you on your sterling efforts at reforestation and now production of solar energy. I encourage you to continue to contribute to national development, having served as ...
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P Forjoe, more grease to your elbows!

May I congratulate you on your sterling efforts at reforestation and now production of solar energy. I encourage you to continue to contribute to national development, having served as a pilot with Ghana Airways and a piloting instructor.

You were always very enterprising and hardworking at school, and it is most pleasing to see that the seed that was sown at Kwabotwe is yielding fruit nationally.
EBBY 10 years ago

So why would you site a huge solar plant in a cloudy forest area like the western region instead of the sunny open space in the northern part of the country where the maximum power can be generated? Solar power plant is a lau ...
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So why would you site a huge solar plant in a cloudy forest area like the western region instead of the sunny open space in the northern part of the country where the maximum power can be generated? Solar power plant is a laudable idea but I doubt if this is not another political gimmick to appease the people in western region. This is just my humble opinion, I may be wrong though.
Alex Kojo Sammy-Paris 10 years ago

Amen!, nd.....from Samms!...

Amen!, nd.....from Samms!...
Hakase 10 years ago

Certainly a step in the right direction, but not sure if it will achieve the full potential in the cloudy and rainy Western Region. Seems it is more of an indigene effort in the locale.

Certainly a step in the right direction, but not sure if it will achieve the full potential in the cloudy and rainy Western Region. Seems it is more of an indigene effort in the locale.
EZEKIEL 10 years ago

WE must FIRST USE what we have before thinking of Import. By that, I mean a)Sunlight......too much of it and yet we have NOT SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED using it for Power generation b) WIND....we have enough of it.. let's approac ...
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WE must FIRST USE what we have before thinking of Import. By that, I mean a)Sunlight......too much of it and yet we have NOT SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED using it for Power generation b) WIND....we have enough of it.. let's approach the Germans for example and present a THOROUGH BUSINESS PLAN with Energy Generation with the Wind . They are TOPS in this field also c)Water..... well, we are on it,Akosombo,Bui ...maybe a Damm or two more.
If we can CONCENTRATE on these 3 FIELDS First.....we'll be going places with our development programme!!
DON'T let's WAIT till some WB/IMF junior comes to tell us the SAME THINGS and then we pay HUGE CONSULTATION FEE + KICKBACK to some IDIOTS before we take it SERIOUS!!!!
Blackman, SAY WHAT YOU WANT and don't WAIT to be TOLD WHAT THEY are selling!!!!!
Joshua 10 years ago

Thanks for your wisdom and foresight for the solar energy project and your caution against the over-dependence on oil and gas.I wish the Ghana government would seek advice from you.

Thanks for your wisdom and foresight for the solar energy project and your caution against the over-dependence on oil and gas.I wish the Ghana government would seek advice from you.
COCO T 10 years ago

Why the W/R?. The W/R does not have enough sun. This is because other ministers in the country dont have brains to lobby and push for programs the energy minister from the west is moving every thing to the west. Look guys ...
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Why the W/R?. The W/R does not have enough sun. This is because other ministers in the country dont have brains to lobby and push for programs the energy minister from the west is moving every thing to the west. Look guys every boby knows to maximise our investment on solar energy the plants will have to be located in the North.I am not from the north but if this is my money i wouldn't waste it.

Having said that why build the solar plant in the W/R??? The north have too much of sun and solar radiation to power the entire West Africa. A plant in Navorongo can power Ghana, Togo, Nigeria,etc. Please send the plant to the North. I can not believe there's over 260 minister in the country and non of them have vision to articulate programs and projects that will drive the country forward. The only one that is doing things is the Energy Minister- Buah and he's also sending every thing to his home town even when it's does make business sense. Please the project is Solar (SUN?????????) Energy put the largest plant where there's sun.thx favorable?.
GHANABA 10 years ago

Wrong region to build solar panels.The most fertile,forested,and wettest region should be the last option.Kenya is building one far bigger than the one in Ghana.Plain common sense should tell Captain Forjoe to build it in the ...
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Wrong region to build solar panels.The most fertile,forested,and wettest region should be the last option.Kenya is building one far bigger than the one in Ghana.Plain common sense should tell Captain Forjoe to build it in the savanna areas.Ghana paaaaaaaaaa!
Kankafour 10 years ago

U don't need a rocket scientist to know that the maximum solar energy can be obtained from the northern region. So because the energy minister is from western region it must built there. This is dirty politics!

U don't need a rocket scientist to know that the maximum solar energy can be obtained from the northern region. So because the energy minister is from western region it must built there. This is dirty politics!
Kweku Boateng Jnr. 10 years ago

Kankafour, there are people from Southern Ghana who are working to construct huge solar parks in northern Ghana this year. This project should not divide us. Most important is that the investors have a good return and Ghana h ...
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Kankafour, there are people from Southern Ghana who are working to construct huge solar parks in northern Ghana this year. This project should not divide us. Most important is that the investors have a good return and Ghana has quality supply of electricity.
I hope Government would see to it that Flagstaff is powered by solar very soon.
MENSAH 10 years ago

There are many MINISTERS IN MAHAMA ADMINISTRATION WHO ARE NORTHERNERS,who could have brought this idea of planting the industry,rather in the North.
WHERE ARE THEY?
DOES MAHAMA KNOWS THIS,HIMSELF?
I don't know why they are ...
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There are many MINISTERS IN MAHAMA ADMINISTRATION WHO ARE NORTHERNERS,who could have brought this idea of planting the industry,rather in the North.
WHERE ARE THEY?
DOES MAHAMA KNOWS THIS,HIMSELF?
I don't know why they are sending it to WESTERN REGION,anyway.
WE HAVE TO CONSIDER ITS COST EFFECTIVENESS,CONSIDERING THE MAITAINANCE OF IT.
COCO T 10 years ago

So man tell me the largest Solar Plant is going to be build in W/R where there's no sun. Africa, Africa Africa, Black man, Black man why do we make decsions based on our self gain. I you telling me there was no feasibility st ...
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So man tell me the largest Solar Plant is going to be build in W/R where there's no sun. Africa, Africa Africa, Black man, Black man why do we make decsions based on our self gain. I you telling me there was no feasibility study conducted to determine the best location to maximise our through put? or no amortirization was revaluated to determine where to place this to generate the most cost to profit for faster pay off. We know the north has exessive sun. The North has 24 hr 7 days a week supply of sun right- and free. But you want to place the solar plant in the west to be closer to the thermal plant because you can't transport the energy from the north to the west??? Mr. president you can and let me tell you how since you need help.
Locate the plant in the north
Place a substation in BA
Another substation in Dunkwa offin
Supply enery to all the neigboring communities along the grid and cable lines leading to the W/R.
With this, you will gain and maximise your through put and reduce waste
The West just does not have enough sun to merit putting the plant there.
Thx
Ben 10 years ago

Any serious large solar energy program should be in the North. Which forest in the south would you sacrifice for such a project?

Any serious large solar energy program should be in the North. Which forest in the south would you sacrifice for such a project?
YAKUBU 10 years ago

That is a very good initiative and as a consummate advocate for renewable and alternative green sources of energy to complement our energy requirements, and in Ghana's quest to achieve energy generation output capacity and su ...
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That is a very good initiative and as a consummate advocate for renewable and alternative green sources of energy to complement our energy requirements, and in Ghana's quest to achieve energy generation output capacity and sufficiency as a critical infrastructural requirement for productive growth and economic development, such partnerships and initiatives is a step in the right direction.
However, in seeking to address this energy need and infrastructural deficit which is quite common in Africa with Ghana not being an exception, it is becoming apparent that in Ghana, there's an over concentration of power generation resources in the Western region and this overconcentration has security implications. Aside of the issue of security, there are benefits to be gained by the siting of some of these projects in enclaves outside of the Western region, by Gov't providing incentives and concessions including tax breaks, which would create a situation where the country derives the utmost benefit in terms of generation capacity, opening up of the country for investment and technology transfer, job creation and employment, and a much holistic development of the nation, with respect to effective decentralization, resource allocation and broad sector growth of the economy and the country. The energy generation capacity mix could take into consideration, wind energy as well and in this regard, Ghana could learn lessons from India which has an installed wind power capacity of19933.68MW as of October 2013, and are on course to add an additional 6000MW by 2014 and this should take cognizance of the natural and geographic coordinates of the country to reap the most benefit from such investments. There is the urgent need to fuse research with development and growth and leapfrog our development paradigm. This is a good project and with time we hope, the necessary framework would be put in place for the photovoltaic panels to be manufactured in the country to serve the sub-region, with it's attendant effects on employment generation, tax revenue and private sector growth, a win-win situation for Ghana.
Kennedy 10 years ago

Western Region is not below equator, forumites condemning this project in western region defies logic.
There are abundant of sunlight in every part of the country. After all we live in Africa and not Europe. There are solar ...
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Western Region is not below equator, forumites condemning this project in western region defies logic.
There are abundant of sunlight in every part of the country. After all we live in Africa and not Europe. There are solar energies in Europe and USA even though less sunlight is obtained. Let's learn to appreciate our own, this project could spread all over the country.
OSEI TAWIAH 10 years ago

So, Western Region which has all the oil is where you want to install solar plants. These people paaa !!! Where are their brains? There should be oil refinery in Tema, Kumasi and another one anywhere in Western Region. The 3 ...
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So, Western Region which has all the oil is where you want to install solar plants. These people paaa !!! Where are their brains? There should be oil refinery in Tema, Kumasi and another one anywhere in Western Region. The 3 Northern Regions should all develop under solar energy because they have plenty of sunshine and are too far from the oil area. By the way, this is all NDC mouth mouth as usual.
Concerned 10 years ago

Firstly, differences in weather conditions WITHIN Ghana are not likely to be too significantly different to make a compelling argument for 1 region over the other - even though northern Ghana would be better.

Secondly, is ...
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Firstly, differences in weather conditions WITHIN Ghana are not likely to be too significantly different to make a compelling argument for 1 region over the other - even though northern Ghana would be better.

Secondly, is Solar energy the most cost efficient way of generating power. I mean BUI cost us $600M to generate 440MW. How much would we be willing to pay for a 150M solar plant. If we have to pay another $600M for instance, then it would probably not be the best value for money - even if someone else paid for it and tried to sell the power (Indep power prod.), we would still pay too much for power.

Thirdly, African's need to get out of the "cell phone" mentality. When a county can't guarantee proper water and electricity, but everyone in the country has a mobile phone, you know that priorities have been misplaced. Ghana has a oil and soon a gas industry that we have put so much money in. Why can't we do more to develop our oil and gas electrical generating. The cost of power from those sources is likely to be almost as low as hydro, will generate a lot more power than wind/solar and will solve the power problems in the county - operative word being PROBLEM

Don't get me wrong, renewable energy is a great idea, but it is also a gimmick/fad. The problems it will aim to solve could be solved cheaper and more efficiently if we only thought a little more about how BEST to fix the problem. The desire to get all these projects started for me reminds me of the great "need" we all feel to have a cell phone, while we still struggle to get water flowing in our houses - it's a misplaced national priority.
Kalahariman 10 years ago

I believe Captain Paul Forjoe is from the western region. Setting up a solar PV Plant in the western region is a misappropriation of resources. I believe you will have questions to answer to your investors on this one. It is ...
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I believe Captain Paul Forjoe is from the western region. Setting up a solar PV Plant in the western region is a misappropriation of resources. I believe you will have questions to answer to your investors on this one. It is bound to a failure from the insert. Not enough sunlight as compared to building one in the Northern part of the country that has sunlight most of the time. An investor wants an ultimate return on his/her investment. I question the location of this plant; is like setting a cocoa board storage in the northern region when there are no cocoa farms there..Lol. If the motive is politically, I fear it will not achieve its goal. Build plants where the natural resource is in abundance and you have a greater chance of success. Don't get me wrong. It is a clever idea but the LOCATION is a bad idea. You can still make western region your corporate office to monitor all activities. The solar power is in the North and is in abundance. Put away your geographical bias and concentrate on an ultimate return on your business plan. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that. Just visit there if you have never been there. I believe the solar sun will confirm that on your head.
Sankofa 10 years ago

Solar power does not depend on amount of sunshine. Otherwise why would there be solar panels installed all over the UK where there is little sunshine for most of the year?

The location is thus not particularly important. W ...
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Solar power does not depend on amount of sunshine. Otherwise why would there be solar panels installed all over the UK where there is little sunshine for most of the year?

The location is thus not particularly important. What matters is that the panels absorb the rays of the sun and convert the energy to electricity.
Vitus 10 years ago

Good idea but wrong site chosen. The best place is the three Northern Regions

Good idea but wrong site chosen. The best place is the three Northern Regions
de 10 years ago

This is a story which is cautiously optimistic about its real take-off. I also fail to see a reconciliation between the headline and the main story captured in the first two paragraphs of this article. The headline: Africa's ...
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This is a story which is cautiously optimistic about its real take-off. I also fail to see a reconciliation between the headline and the main story captured in the first two paragraphs of this article. The headline: Africa's largest solar plant to be constructed". Opening sentence of this article :" A 155MW peak solar PV plant to be constructed in the W/R this year..." Paragraph 2: " project could one of the largest solar generating facilities in Africa..." when constructed. This appears to be a very ambitious project and a laudable one at that. However, Mr. Forjoe doesn't appear to have a grasp of this "great" news he's selling: whether it will be the "largest" or "could be one of the largest" in Africa. If he's sure none of such plants in Africa has a generating capacity equalling the 155MW supposedly to be constructed, then it should be the largest, but if there already exist plants of larger capacities than the 155MW I wonder how it could be the largest. At best it makes sense as was the case in the second paragraph 'to be counted among the largest in Africa". Mr. Forjoe was even shy to indicate what feasibility studies have been made so far and the exact location of this proposed project which is to be consructed THIS YEAR. I'm tempted to think this is also one of the many "hoax" ambitious projects such as "Hope City", "500,000 housing Units", so trumpeted to a deafening degree.

Africa’s largest solar plants to be built in W/R

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