Experts Discuss Renewable Energy

A ROUND-table discussion on 'Economic and ecological benefits of renewable energies’, was held in Accra yesterday with a call on individuals and organisations to use energy judiciously.

It was organised by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and attended by representatives of the various political parties, the Energy Foundation, the Volta River Authority, Electricity Corporation and the Ministry of Energy among others.

The Country Representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Ms. Katerine Meissner, in her submission, explained that the workshop seeks to bring the stakeholders together to discuss possible solution to the energy challenge confronting the country.

Ghana, like many other countries in the developing world she said, faces challenges in energy supply and its efficient use and stressed that energy is very vital to the developmental drive of any country.

The Vice President of the European Parliament, Mrs Machtild Rothe, lauded efforts being made by some individuals and organisations at providing alternative means of energy in the country.

She also noted the increasing number of solar system being used by some organisations and individuals which she said are more economical compared to hydro production among others.

Mrs. Rothe, who is also an expert in renewable energy in Germany said, she was impressed with efforts being made by the government and organisations to venture into the other alternative energy sources.

She said that the provision of energy or power should be the collaborative efforts of all irrespective of the political affiliations.

'We need as joint stuff in energy production and usage; a joint shift to energy policy to help build a renewable energy resources, energy efficiency and energy saving without undermining economic and social development,' she said.

The Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Dr Alfred Ahenkorah, appealed to the public to use energy judiciously taking into account the cost of producing it.

He said that considering the demand on electricity amidst the industries among others, the country would require about 3000 megawatt of power in 2015 and about 4,000 megawatt in 2020.

Dr Ahenkora also mentioned landfill, biomass, firewood and wind as some of the alternatives that energy could be generated but added that though firewood is used for energy, care must be taken not to deplete the country’s forest resources through its exploitation.