SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE HON MINISTER OF ENERGY, DR. JOE OTENGADJEI AT THE SIGNING OF AN MOU BETWEEN GOG AND ELECNOR
FOUNDATION OF SPAIN.
Colleague Minister present,
Directors and Staff of Ministry of Energy
Representatives of Elecnor Foundation
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press
I welcome you to this afternoon ceremony.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as you may be aware, Government of Ghana’s vision for the energy
sector is to develop an energy economy that will secure a reliable supply of high quality energy
services for all sectors of the Ghanaian economy. This includes achieving at least 10%
contribution of modern renewable energy services in the electricity generation mix by 2020.
As an indication of the Government’s commitment to meeting this target, the Ministry of Energy
has upgraded the Renewable Energy Unit at the Ministry of Energy to a Directorate status
similar to the Petroleum and Power Directorates. This new Directorate will formulate, plan and
monitor policies and strategies for the promotion of all forms of renewable energy resources in
the country.
Ladies and gentlemen, in order to also provide the legal framework and fiscal incentives to
attract private sector investment, a Renewable Energy law has been passed by the parliament of
Ghana.
It is for this reason that I am pleased to be here to sign an MOU between the Government of
Ghana and the Elecnor Foundation of Spain for a €298,934 Solar Back-up Systems Project
investment by the latter to various health facilities around the country.
Since 2009, a total 6380 solar systems have been installed in remote off-grid communities in
over 70 districts nationwide with support from JICA, the World Bank and the Spanish
Government. The contribution of the Spanish Government to this achievement cannot be
overemphasized. Under the Elecnor SA project, more than 1300 solar systems have been
installed in public institutions such security outposts (Police, Customs, Immigration), Clinics,
Schools and public social gathering places. Thus, nearly 200kWp of solar systems generating
more than 26MWh of energy storage in batteries have been installed under the Elecnor SA
project.
Ladies and gentlemen, this project if completed will provide solar backup systems to the
following health facilities in Ghana:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
St. Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu, Central Region
St. Damien Health Centre in Takoradi, Western Region
Benito Menli Health Centre in Dompoase, Ashanti Region
Our Lady of Grace Hospital in Asikuma, Central Region
Our Lady of Rocio Health Centre in Walewale, Northern Region.
St. Michael Hospital in Pramso, Ashanti Region
7. Central Clinic in Tamale, Northern Region
8. Bongo District Hospital in Bongo, Upper East Region
9. St. Joseph Hospital in Koforidua, Eastern Region.
The aim of this project, ladies and gentlemen is to assure un-interrupted energy supply at the
essential areas of the health centers like theatre, maternity, urgencies or laboratory, combining
both off grid and on grid solar technologies.
It is the hope of the Ministry that the beneficiary health institutions will maximize the usage of
these equipment so as to improve on the general wellbeing of our people.
On this note, I wish to thank you the press for coming and May we continue to collaborate for
the betterment of mother Ghana.
Thank you.