Accra, July 19, GNA - The Energy Commission on Tuesday launched the second phase of its Grid Connected Solar PV (photovoltaic) and Wind Electricity supply pilot project aimed to enhance the development and utilization of renewable energy resources in the country.

Dr Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary, Energy Commission, who launched the project, said the pace of exploitation of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar had been slow despite years of government and development partners' support. Currently, renewable energy contributes less than one per cent to the country's total annual electricity supply.

To encourage the use of renewable energy, Dr Ahenkorah said, the Commission launched the pilot project in 2010 with funding from the Energy Fund to promote greater uptake and integration of renewable energy into the national energy mix to help to address climate change, enhance energy security and improve access to clean energy. Under the current programme, the Commission offers financial support to Ghanaian businesses, institutions and individuals that seek to invest in high quality renewable energy projects that target harnessing wind and solar energy in the country.

The beneficiary is expected to ensure proper connectivity to the electricity distribution system and the facility is fitted with a net metering system to measure the net contribution of the system to national electricity supply.

"The project target has been public and private institutions, partnerships and individuals, who are prepared to contribute at least 60 per cent of the total cost of the installations," he said. Dr Ahenkorah said the Commission would this year support the installation and inauguration of grid connected renewable energy systems, which were at least 75kWp of solar PV and wind as part of the programme to mitigate climate change and also to integrate renewable energy into the national energy mix.

He said during the second phase a projected 176kWp of grid connected solar PV systems was expected to be installed throughout the country at a total cost of GH¢1.35 million.

The Energy Commission, Dr Ahenkorah said, had allocated GH¢270,992, representing 20 per cent of the total cost from the Energy Fund as a matching fund.

Beneficiary institutions will include schools, hospitals, offices and residential homes.

In the first phase of the pilot project, 25kWp (kilowatt peak) grid connected solar systems were installed at three institutions and two residential facilities.

The installations include 8.36kWp grid at the Valley View University to supply electricity to the Baobab Centre for Ecological studies; a 4.18 kWp system at Presbyterian Women Centre at Abokobi and Pure Company, an agro-processing company at Benkrom in the Kintampo North District.

KWp (kilowatt-peak) is a measure of the peak output of a photovoltaic system.

Mr Kofi Wayo, Board Member Energy Commission, called for government's support to manufacture the solar hardware in the country, adding that was the only way to reduce installation cost. The Commission also signed an agreement with the selected beneficiaries to signal the commencement of the installations expected to end by December this year.