In a bid to successfully achieve this objective, the President indicated that government is in the process of developing projects aimed at increasing production and distribution of solar energy across the country.

“On the basis of my country’s specific needs, Government is keen on developing utility-scale solar energy projects, as well as accelerating the development of mini-grid solutions in off-grid and island communities for lighting, irrigation and other economic activities,” President Akufo-Addo said.

In keeping with Ghana’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the President outlined some solar energy programmes for implementation by 2030, which include “the attainment of utility-scale solar electricity from about 22.5 megawatts to 250 megawatts.”

Additionally, the President stated that 200,000 solar systems for households, commercial and government facilities in urban and selected non-electrified rural communities will be installed, as well as the establishment of 55 mini-grid electrification systems with an average capacity of 100 kilowatts.

These systems, he stressed, will be based on solar PV technology, which will be hybridized with other generation options to serve islands and off-grid communities.

The deployment of two million solar lanterns to replace kerosene lanterns, currently being used by our rural non-electrified households, the President assured, will be done.

President Akufo-Addo made this known on Sunday, March 11, 2018, at the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance, held in New Delhi, the capital of India.

A major strategy to achieving these targets in Ghana, the President told the gathering, is to build the relevant domestic capacity in the manufacture and assembling of solar energy systems and accessories within Ghana.

“This will also help create job opportunities for our vibrant and hardworking youth. Ghana is a haven of peace and security. My government is keen on building the most business-friendly environment for investment, especially for investment in the renewable energy sector,” the President said.

He continued, “Our country is endowed with great potential, where security and the rule of law are upheld, where investments are secure, and, by the end of the year, we are projected to be the fastest growing economy in the world.”

Establishment of ISA

President Akufo-Addo attended the International Solar Alliance Summit at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the President of the France, Emmanuel Macron.

The Summit, which was attended by 25 Heads of State and Government, provided a dedicated platform for co-operation amongst solar resource-rich countries, aimed at realising “the common goals of increasing the use of solar energy in meeting the energy needs of ISA member countries in a safe, convenient, affordable, equitable and sustainable manner.”

In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo noted that “the establishment of the International Solar Alliance, in our view, is very appropriate in today’s circumstances. That is why Ghana did not hesitate in ratifying the framework agreement of this noteworthy Alliance.”

He was confident that “together, we can ensure the satisfactory performance of the ISA Framework Agreement, and, thereby, make the laudable objectives of the International Solar Alliance reality.”

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Gov’t will prioritize solar energy’ – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

John Mahama’s then National Democratic Congress government had targetted the setting up of 200,000 rooftop solar projects for small businesses and residential users.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hSzi6OKQUduYiBsOcp2Plvu8NvS5h0gG”]The status of the project is unclear, and the NDC MP, speaking on Eyewitness News, questioned if the solar rooftop project would not rather provide better consumer relief than the recently announced average of a 14 percent reduction in electricity tariffs for non-residential users.

Mr. Mutawakilu noted that, the solar project also targeted small businesses like tailors and hairdressers, which President Akufo-Addo announced were to be the immediate beneficiaries of the tariff reduction.

During then-President Mahama’s State of the Nation Address in 2016, he indicated that “several small and medium enterprises have been provided with rooftop solar following my announcement of a target of 200,000 rooftop solar projects for small businesses and residential users.”

Mr. Mutawakilu said the solar project, “by the end of 2015 covered about 1,000 customers where solar rooftops are mounted on these hairdressers’ shops so that, at the end of the day, they don’t depend on the national grid, thereby giving the relief.”

“So we would like to know government’s position on that. Have they cancelled it? If they have cancelled it, is it actually benefiting compared to the solar rooftops where they will no more depend on the national grid and they don’t pay any electricity bills? Which of these will be better? Government should state its position. If they are still going on with it, they should let us know. If they have abandoned it, they should let us know,” the MP stated.

Non-residential classifications

The President, in his well-received tariff reduction announcement, revealed that barbers will have tariffs reduced by 18 percent; 15.7 percent for hairdressers and beauticians, and for tailors, 9.8 percent.

Following this, Mr. Mutawakilu also questioned the basis of specific reductions for specific non-residential groups in light of the fact the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission [PURC] had six broad consumer groups; residential, non-residential, special load tariff (low voltage), special load tariff (medium voltage), special load tariff (high voltage) and high voltage mines.

“We have not reclassified them to individuals such as barbers, tailors and hairdressers,” the NDC MP remarked.

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Mutawakilu demands answers on NDC’s solar rooftop project appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Turning to innovative hybrid solar power solutions can change all of that.

Despite being the world’s second largest in terms of both landmass and population, poor and unreliable electricity supply across many African countries pose a serious challenge to mobile operators looking to expand network coverage, hindering efforts to bridge the digital divide.

Traditionally, network providers or tower companies looking to operate off-grid or in areas where grids are unstable have had to depend on diesel-powered generator sets to power sites. Depending on reliability of supply, this can result in enormous fuel and maintenance costs for the operator.

Intelligent operations

Huawei’s Solar Hybrid Power Solution is based on industry-leading SolarMax technology, and converts the abundant energy from the sun into DC output to supply stable electrical power for site equipment.

The solution features intelligent management features: by analysing data from the solar panels, battery and generator set, an algorithm is used to modify battery charging times and generator running time to maximise the benefits derived from solar radiation.

This, together with lithium instead of lead-acid batteries, has shown to improve the harvesting of solar energy by as much as 40%, and to reduce fuel consumption costs by almost 70%, as compared to other hybrid solar power systems. The benefits could grow wider in summer months, with the intelligent solution being able to take advantage of lengthier periods of sunshine.

Intelligent batteries

Huawei’s Solar Hybrid Power Solution uses intelligent lithium batteries, called BoostLi, which includes several intelligent features, including central management tools that allow for remote checks on the system’s state of health, state of charge, and more. This feature alone helps operators cut down on hundreds of dollars required per site visit.

Another challenge facing network expansion is the issue of theft; with multiple channels available for the recycling of lead-acid batteries, some operators report that up to 20% of batteries are stolen. With Intelligent Protection, BoostLi batteries that are disconnected from their central monitor can be ‘locked’ after a user-defined period, after which they will no longer supply power.

The batteries have surpassed the industry standard for parallel output power with 15kW against 5kW, and further help operators maximise existing infrastructure investments by allowing for the mixing of intelligent lithium with legacy lead-acid batteries.

Working with African operators

Safaricom, one of East Africa’s major mobile network operators, was faced with high battery theft rates and fuel bills exceeding US$10 000 per site before turning to Huawei’s hybrid solar power solution. Battery theft has dropped to zero, while fuel consumption has been cut by 90%.

The solution helped MTN reduce battery theft to zero and improve network reliability slightly. Tower operator ANTOSC (Angola Tower Sharing Company), which has deployed the hybrid solution in off-grid areas, has been able to save over $20 000 in fuel costs.

–

Source: Huawei

The post Huawei to connect Africa with reliable solar energy appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to William Owuraku Aidoo, solar is a cheap source of energy, which has been used in most countries in the world to augment their traditional source of energy.

He made the call at the commissioning of an 80 kilowatts Solar Power project of the Building and Road Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (BRRI-CSIR) in Kumasi.

The project, which is under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Kata Solar in Japan, would be managed by Kata Solar for five years, after which it would be handed over to CSIR-BRRI to operate.

The system can be used with the national grid or generator sets, and can control how much energy has been produced and used since it is a “hybrid controller technology.”

Power can also be supplied to the electricity company for continuous distribution to the public.

Mr. Owuraku Aidoo indicated that, the Energy Ministry is saving Ghc90, 000.00 annually from the use of solar power.

“I urge all individuals and institutions in particular to embrace solar to help in achieving the President’s vision of having 10 percent of renewables in the total energy mix of the country.”

He said Government is focused on accomplishing its target of 10 per cent installation, and use of solar power in the country.

Director of BRRI, Dr. Eugene Atiemo, explained that the first phase of the project produced 20 kilowatts in 2016, with the second phase in 2017 producing 60 kilowatts.

He said the technology is environmentally friendly and cost less.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATA Solar Limited, Dr. Kofi Ampofo Appiah, said the project is unique because it can be extended for commercial use, and also reduces the cost of electricity for the user.

He said the project will save the BRRI-CSIR a lot of money, and more than 50 to 60 percent of electricity form the main power supplier.

Dr. Ampofo said his outfit will continue its engagement with Government to get more of the institutions adopt the use of solar.

–
By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post KATA Solar partners CSIR to improve energy supply appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BQzFXxrihstwhyt8ng49joeuNOEY995e”]The move is also expected to drive down the high cost of power in the country.

At present, renewable energy accounts for only one percent of all installed capacity despite the enormous potential existing in the country.

The high initial cost has also been blamed for the low patronage of renewable energy sources.

But a Program Coordinator at the Energy Commission, Frederick Kenneth Appiah tells Citi Business News the right policies would also attract investors into the manufacturing sectors to reduce the burden on hydro electric power.

“Ghana’s access to electricity is among the highest across Africa since most of them are below sixty percent so there is also a potential market. As a result, we would like to use our country as a hub base to develop renewable energy technologies which could be deployed to our neighbouring countries or the regional market,” he stated.

Frederick Appiah was speaking ahead of Ghana’s participation in the Astana Expo in Kazakhstan between June and September this year.

The expo is among others expected to open up the existing opportunities to foreign investors to increase the country’s renewable energy capacity.

According to him, the country’s local content policy should also open up local companies to the opportunities in the renewable energy space.

“We currently have a local content policy which seeks to promote local participation in all these things which is very key; not that every time the foreign participation will be unmatched but I can team up with local investors and partner them to develop the sector.”

The Energy Commission has since embarked on a National Rooftop Solar Project to assist households that are opting for solar in meeting their power needs.

It is also against the backdrop that the cost per kilowatt hour for solar (11 cents) is cheaper than the cost of thermal per kilowatts hour.

“Government wants to meet you halfway by taking care of some of the cost so if it is hundred percent, the project is taking care of almost thirty percent,” Frederick Appiah further stressed.

The Expo is on the theme, “Future Energy” while Ghana is participating on the theme, “Ghana-Haven of Renewable Energy Resources”.

–

By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Ghana woos investors for renewable energy production appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Energy Minister, Mr Boakye Agyarko, announced this at the launch of a Solar PV System on a facility housing the offices of the German Development Cooperation (GTZ) in Accra last Friday.

The 16.64kWp system is one of the first grid-connected PV systems in Ghana with no battery backup under the net metering framework in the country.

Integration
According to Mr Agyarko, the rapid decline in prices of solar PV made it competitive for Ghanaians to integrate solar in the electricity distribution system at the end-user’s point.

Mr Agyarko said it was also possible to generate electricity from solar at less than GH¢0.60p per kilowatts, compared to what consumers were currently paying for electricity.

He said the ministry installed a 50 KWp solar PV rooftop system on its building since 1999 and this had been in operation generating an average of 156 kWh per day and thus contributing 13 to 18 per cent of electricity consumed.

That, he said, had resulted in savings of an average GH¢7,000 monthly or GH¢90,000 yearly.

Gratitude
Mr Agyarko expressed his gratitude to the German government for providing technical assistance to finalise the net metering code that prescribed guidelines for injecting excess generation from solar rooftops into the electricity distribution system for sale by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to customers.

“I am reliably informed that the ECG had a number of reversible meters for installation on such premises to reduce the net consumption of electricity by the end-user,” he said.

The minister also commended the German government for the exemplary role it had played in the development and promotion of renewable energy in Ghana; notable among them was the Euro 22.3 million concessional loan facility from the KfW Development Bank for the development of a 12MW Volta River Authority (VRA) solar project in the Upper West Region.

He also mentioned the support by the German government for the successful implementation of the Renewable Energy Act which the minister said was progressing steadily.

Mr Agyarko urged other development partners to emulate the example of the GTZ and integrate solar into their buildings to reduce their net consumption and make available excess power to support other productive ventures.

Decision
For his part, the Country Director of GIZ, Mr Alan Walsh, stated that the decision to procure the solar PV system was informed by the rising cost of grid electricity and fuel for backup generators, as well as GIZ and KfW’s desire to demonstrate that cost of solar PV is competitive in Ghana.

He also stated that GDC House had been able to save about GH¢14,000 from mid-October last year to February this year through the use of solar energy.

Commitment
The German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Christoph Retzlaff, stressed that his country was committed to further supporting Ghana’s endeavours in renewable energy and energy efficiency which would contribute to Ghana’s sustainable economic development.

He also said Germany was one of the leading countries that was transitioning from a fossil fuel-based economy to one based on renewable energy and that his country was ready to share lessons learnt during the transition.

“Ghana and Germany have been cooperating in the field of renewable energy for a couple of years. It includes the support for private households and companies to install solar panels on their rooftops which is connected to the ECG grid through the net-metering scheme,” he said.

–

Source: Graphic Online

The post MDAs to be connected to solar energy appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Amnesty International condemned the sentence, handed down by a judge in Khartoum, as “appalling and abhorrent”.

Local media report the sentence on the woman, who is pregnant, would not be carried out for two years after she had given birth.

Sudan has a majority Muslim population, which is governed by Islamic law.

“We gave you three days to recant but you insist on not returning to Islam. I sentence you to be hanged to death,” the judge told the woman, AFP reports.

Western embassies and rights groups had urged Sudan to respect the right of the pregnant woman to choose her religion.

The judge also sentenced the woman to 100 lashes after convicting her of adultery – because her marriage to a Christian man was not valid under Islamic law.

This will reportedly be carried out when she has recovered from giving birth.

Earlier in the hearing, an Islamic cleric spoke with her in a caged dock for about 30 minutes, AFP reports.

Then she calmly told the judge: “I am a Christian and I never committed apostasy.”

Rival protesters

Amnesty International said the woman, Meriam Yehya Ibrahim Ishag, was raised as an Orthodox Christian, her mother’s religion, because her father, a Muslim, was reportedly absent during her childhood.

In court, the judge addressed her by her Muslim name, Adraf Al-Hadi Mohammed Abdullah.

She was convicted of adultery on the grounds that her marriage to a Christian man from South Sudan was void under Sudan’s version of Islamic law, which says Muslim women cannot marry non-Muslims.

The woman was originally sentenced to death on Sunday but given until Thursday to return to Islam.

There were small groups of protesters outside the court – both her supporters and those who back the punishment.

About 50 people chanting “No to executing Meriam” were confronted by a smaller group who supported the verdict, but there was no violence.

Amnesty’s Sudan researcher Manar Idriss condemned the punishments, saying apostasy and adultery should not be considered crimes.

“The fact that a woman has been sentenced to death for her religious choice, and to flogging for being married to a man of an allegedly different religion is appalling and abhorrent,” he said.

The BBC’s Osman Mohamed, in Khartoum, says death sentences are rarely carried out in Sudan.

Her lawyers plan an appeal to a higher court to get the sentence overturned.

On Tuesday, the embassies of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands issued a joint statement expressing “deep concern” about the case and urging Sudan to respect the right to freedom of religion, AFP says.

The woman was arrested and charged with adultery in August 2013, and the court added the charge of apostasy in February 2014 when she said she was a Christian and not a Muslim, Amnesty said.

The group called for her immediate release.

She is said to be eight months’ pregnant.

Source: BBC

The post Sudanese court sentences woman to death for marrying Christian man appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mariam Yahya Ibrahim had been ordered to abandon her newly adopted Christian faith and return to Islam. She had also been charged with adultery for marrying a Christian man.

Judge Abbas al Khalifa asked Ibrahim whether she would return to Islam. After she said “I am a Christian” the death sentence was handed down, the judicial sources said.

Outside the court, about 50 people held up signs that read “Freedom of Religion”, while some Islamists celebrated the ruling, chanting “God is Greatest”.

Young Sudanese university students have mounted a series of protests near Khartoum University in recent weeks asking for an end to human rights abuses, more freedoms and better social and economic conditions.

Western embassies and Sudanese activists have condemned what they said were human rights abuses and called on the Sudanese Islamist-led government to respect freedom of faith.

Source: Reuters

The post Sudanese woman sentenced to death for converting to Christianity appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mariam Yahya Ibrahim was charged with apostasy as well as adultery for marrying a Christian man, something prohibited for Muslim women to do and which makes the marriage void.

The final ruling will be announced on Thursday. Ibrahim’s case was the first of its kind to be heard in Sudan.

Young Sudanese university students have mounted a series of protests near Khartoum University in recent weeks asking for an end to human rights abuses, more freedoms and better social and economic conditions. The authorities decided on Sunday to close the university indefinitely.

Western embassies and Sudanese activists sharply condemned the accusations and called on the Sudanese Islamist-led government to respect freedom of faith.

“The details of this case expose the regime’s blatant interference in the personal life of Sudanese citizens,” Sudan Change Now Movement, a youth group, said in a statement.

President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s government is facing a huge economic and political challenge after the 2011 secession of South Sudan, which was Sudan’s main source of oil.

A decision by Bashir last year to cut subsidies and impose austerity measures prompted violent protests in which dozens were killed and hundreds were injured.

Credit: Reuters

The post Sudanese woman may face death for choosing Christianity over Islam appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the continuous silence of the Muslim cleric to rebuke and condemn the activities of Boko Haram is an indication of the subtle acceptance of the group.

‘’… This Boko Haram has brought fundamentally to bear, the weakness in Islam as a religion to control its insurgents and its fundamentals,’’ he said on The Big Issue on Saturday.

Mr. Casley-Hayford said, he is yet to publicly hear any influential Muslim figure say the actions of the Boko Haram group are non-Islam.

‘’I have not heard so far one single high ranking, respected Muslim cleric [in Ghana] stand up and say [the activities of Boko Haram] is totally non-Muslim activity; this is not what Islam is all about,’’ he said.

He admonished Islamic leaders to come out, confront and condemn what is going on because, ‘’You [Islamic Leaders] need to hold a big stage and say so clearly so that we all understand that you are against what is going on.’’

He further noted that the activities of Boko Haram ‘’seems’’ to be accepted subtly be everyone.

Boko Haram is a Nigerian militant Islamist group – which has caused havoc in Africa’s most populous country through a series of bombings, assassinations and abductions. They are fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.

The group is based in the northeast of Nigeria and they do not believe in western education and westernization.

The group recently abducted over 200 schoolgirls from a secondary school in Nigeria and has since threatened to sell them.

Speaking on Citi FM’s news and political analysis programme, Mr. Casley-Hayford said Boko Haram is also a clear indication that ‘’‘Political Islam’ is moving the religion’s agenda rather than the other way round’’.

He mentioned that there is a need to clarify what proper Islam is from the fundamental dysfunctional Islam and ‘’… I cannot accept that there is such a religion that says that women should not be educated.’’

By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @effsevans

The post Boko Haram reflects flaws in Islam — Casely-Hayford appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.