The National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said that they will deliver a golden age of renewables when voted into power because, it is committed to renewable energy as a clean, climate-friendly, electricity solution for households, remote communities and light industries.
Presidential Candidate for the NDC, John Dramani Mahama in his manifesto revealed that, his government will surpass the energy strategy goal of renewable energy constituting 10 per cent of national energy generation by coming up with some strategies to help materialize this objective.
“We will surpass the ten (10) per cent of the energy mix specified in the Renewal Energy Act by establishing a Renewable Energy Commission to give focus to our campaign on renewables; accelerating the development of grid-connected solar, wind and biomass plants, encouraging the use of Roof-Top Solar by artisans and small businesses, requiring all new government buildings to incorporate solar systems in their designs, cost and implementation, retrofitting existing government buildings with solar systems, providing incentives for investment in the manufacture of solar panels and accessories in Ghana, including removal of import duties on solar equipment and accessories, encouraging private businesses and public institutions to use solar power and promoting the teaching of courses in renewable energy in TVET institutions.”
Touching on power generation, Mr. Mahama also disclosed that, his government will expand various power generations and ensure its affordable supply for economic growth.
“We will steadily expand mini-hydro, thermal and renewable power generation to match growth in demand, especially for heavy industries such as aluminium, iron and steel smelting and for export and work to ensure the supply of affordable, reliable and sustainable supply of power for economic growth.”
Mr. Mahama noted that, his government will administer the implementation of the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) and the Cash Waterfall mechanism transparently to restore financial viability.
With regards to national electrification, he disclosed that, the next NDC Government will work to achieve universal access by 2025 by accelerating the rate of connectivity to the national grid.
“The next NDC government will work to achieve universal access by 2025 by accelerating the rate of connectivity to the national grid where possible and deploying renewable energy systems where grid access is unrealistic. The NDC government will use proceeds from ESLA to boost the capacity of Ghanaian companies to achieve universal access by 2025 and promote sustainable and productive use of electricity to support rural industries Reliability and Affordability of Power.
“ The next NDC Government will prioritize cheaper hydropower for heavy industries (job creation) and vulnerable homes (social safety nets) and use the rest to further lower average thermal tariffs b. provide tax and other incentives to encourage thermal generators to lower tariffs and also deploy smart technology to reduce power losses.”
On universal street lighting, he said the NDC government will resume universal street lighting programme to enhance public safety, security and boost the night economy starting with major cities and district capitals by leveraging the streetlight component of the ESLA and progressively light every village in the country through the ‘Light Up’ Ghana initiative.
