In Africa, no country is better poised to drive the clean energy revolution than Ghana. The medium-sized country with a 31.7-million population (World Bank figures in 2020) has attracted pan-African institutions and multinational corporations alike. Since 2020, the new Africa free trade zone, the AfCFTA, and US social media company Twitter, have moved their head offices to Accra. Global manufacturers have also set up shop in Ghana. In 2020, Volkswagen opened a vehicle manufacturing facility. While attracting industry and commerce of this level, Ghana can turn to solar energy in growing a thriving renewables sector. Solar can uniquely meet the challenges posed by climate change to Ghana’s energy sector while powering the country’s economy, which the AfDB estimates to grow by 4% this year. Given that solar energy is still in its early stages, there is a unique opportunity to build a more gender-inclusive sector, with women taking up leadership roles.
Increasing number of Ghanaian businesses are switching to solar energy to power their operations. Given the advances in solar PV technology, solar is more affordable than ever. Over the last decade, the price of electricity generated by solar has fallen by 89%. Ghanaian businesses pay $15-24 per kilowatt-hour, up to double OECD average power costs. By using solar energy, they could save up to 30% on total power costs. They can reinvest these cost savings in their businesses by expanding operations and hiring new employees. This ultimately drives productivity and profitability. Given its modular nature, there is no limit other than available space to how much electricity solar can generate for a specific business’s energy needs – whether a large manufacturing concern or smaller business offering services. Rider Steel, a steel recycling company located in the Tema Free Trade Zone, installed a 1.1MWp solar system, which powers nearly a fifth of their energy consumption on one of their lines. The system consists of 2,844 x 380W solar panels. Rider Steel will save significantly on power costs over the 25-year life of the system. By using solar, the company will offset 650MT of carbon emissions each year. Although Rider Steel’s solar installation is a small contribution to its overall power consumption, it can easily be scaled to power a larger load. Crucially, Ghanaian women can lead the growth and development of a local renewables sector. Solar is the energy source of the future. Ghana, a pioneering country with an illustrious history of leadership in sub- Saharan Africa, can lead the continent forward in a world transitioning away from fossil fuels.