The continued uncertainty of reliable energy supply, coupled with the recent 78% increase in electricity tariffs and the 52% increase in water tariffs, is good reason to increase investment in the renewable sub-sector of the economy, the Delegate of German Industry and Commerce to Ghana (AHK), Mr. Patrick Martens has said.

Though he admits that the tariffs may not so palatable to the consumer, it nevertheless presents the perfect opportunity to scale up investments in the renewable energy sector because the increase in tariffs makes it competitive for investments in that regard, he told B&FT.

He noted that the feed-in-tariffs that have become operational now, introduced some four weeks ago, create opportunity for investment in the grid- sector.

This, he noted, applies to both the on and off-grid sectors since with the off-grid investments helping industry, such as the hotels, telecommunications and the manufacturing sector.

He was talking to the B&FT about the upcoming West African Clean Energy and Environment Exhibition and Conference (WACEE, 2013) slated for November 12-14 organised by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana and co-sponsored by German trade fair specialists, FairTrade.

The conference is the second to be held in the country following on the maiden event held last year. Patrick Martens said this year’s event will present a new set up with new services. For instance, Fair Trade which are market leaders and has a niche market in emerging markets like the Middle East, will participate in its first event in Africa.

He said this year’s event will also present some new tools which are unique to West Africa such as online registration with a bar code which has seen 200 registered visitors so far, and electronic match-making as another such tool.

He noted that this year’s event will move away from oil and gas and focus more on renewable, water treatment and water management. There will also be two major conferences.

Mr. Martens said West Africa in the past few years has become a focal point of interest as a market of the future with high potential. He believes exporters of energy and environmental technology can benefit from this development.

Germany, he said, will leave a heavy footprint at WACEE 2013 since German participation consists of the pavilion of German Federal State of North-Rhine Westphalia and several other individual exhibitors. In addition, the “Ghanaian-German Renewable Business Forum-Setting the Ground for Sustainable Energy Development” will he held alongside the trade fair.

Germany has increased its renewable shares from 6% to 20% triggering an investment of more than €40 billion last year.

West African imports of energy and electro-technology rose by 27.2% in 2011, to 7.642 billion euros. West African imports in this sector stood firm on a high level in 2012, amounting to 7.402 billion euros.