Govt to introduce new measures to conserve energy

Accra, Aug. 26, GNA - Government is to come out with additional measures to guide the public sector on the use of the nation's energy resources, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister of Energy announced on Friday.

The measures are to conserve and effectively use energy to reduce poverty with the aim of freeing resources for other areas of development, while also making power available for greater access. Mr Adda made the announcement at the launch of a report titled "Energy for Poverty Reduction Action Plan" (EPRAP), in Accra. The goal of the report is to provide a roadmap for the targeted delivery of energy services to support the realisation of national developmental and poverty reduction goals and strategies outlined for the implementation of seven key sectors under the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy II.

The Sectors are Small and Medium Enterprise (SME's), Health, Education, Water and Sanitation, Communication and Technology and Household.

The Ministry of Energy or its designated representative are expected to lead and co-ordinate the implementation of the EPRAP, which would be implemented for an initial four-year period (2006-2009). An indicative cost of $340 million, to be funded by the Government of Ghana and donor support, including the United Nations Development Programmed (UNDP), would be required to execute the key energy interventions by the interventions identified by the EPRAP.

Another $350 million would be needed to electrify 2,500 households under the Self Help Electrification Project (SHEP) 4 Programme. Mr Adda suggested 'car pooling' for households and individuals to save on fuel use during working days. "We must conserve what we have and be wise in our use of energy to help also share on cost", Mr Adda said. He said there was the need for bio-diesel and increased exploration.

Mr Adda announced that government in collaboration with the Chinese government was to start developing the Bui Dam by next year. It was also collaborating with the India Government to complete feasibility studies on 16 potential mini-hydro electric projects, as a first step towards developing them into full power generation facilities. He called for concerted efforts to conserve energy at the home.