Ghana is to receive a USD 27.39 million grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the development of mini-grids and solar PV net meters in the country. The project has already obtained co-financing from the Scaling Up Renewable Energy programme, a financing window of the Climate Investment Funds, and the Swiss State Secretariat for the Economy, for an amount of $28.49 million and $13.30 million, respectively.
Called “Ghana Mini Grid and Solar Photovoltaic Net Metering”, the project will have a production capacity of 67.5 MW and will produce approximately 111,300 MWh of electricity per year. It includes the development of 35 mini-grids, stand-alone solar photovoltaic systems in 400 schools, 200 units in health centers and 100 units for community energy service centers in the Lake Volta region, says an AfDB statement released. this Wednesday, February 2. It will also deploy up to 12,000 units of roof-mounted net-metered solar PV systems for public institutions, small and medium enterprises and some households.
“This project is a good example of the Bank Group’s ability to mobilize financing from climate investment funds and donor partners by supporting the electrification of the remaining 15% of Ghana located in island communities,” said Daniel Schroth, Acting Director of the Department of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
For Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Managing Director of the AfDB Group for West Africa, “the Bank Group’s support is aligned with Ghana’s development priorities which aim to promote and develop the country’s rich renewable energy resources for sustainable economic growth, social improvement of life and reduction of the adverse effects of climate change. Additionally, the post-Covid-19 era has highlighted the importance of reliable energy services.”
