A civil society organization, the 350 G-ROC group has reminded the government of their manifesto promise on renewable energy development.
Addressing the media, 350G-ROC group discussed the NPP government manifesto promise on renewable energy which explains that; they could increase the proportion of renewable energy in the national, mix by harnessing alternative energy options to ensure the expansion of low carbon energy in our economy.
The NPP manifesto indicated that, the party will ensure local supply of solar panels to meet the requirement of our policy proposals by establishing a Renewable Energy Industrial Zone where the private sector will be supported to build factories for the production and assembling of the full components of solar power system.
The NPP also promised of building solar parks in the northern part of the country. ‘’we will provide investment tax credits to owners of commercial ,industrial and utility scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to take a one –time tax credit of qualified installed costs.
The group expressed gratitude to the NPP government of their desire to pursue Renewable Energy, as it promises direct and indirect benefits such as job creation, resolving energy crises, reduction in emission levels and contributing to fight against climate change.
‘’Government is therefore encouraged to put in place strategies that decrease significantly national emissions in other key areas such as agriculture, forestry and transport’’.
Since 2011, Renewable Energy Law was adopted to provide fiscal incentives and regulatory framework to encourage private sector investment.
Ghana is well endowed with renewable energy resource potential, particularly biomass, solar and wind, and to a lesser extent small and mini hydropower. In combination with energy efficiency measures, renewable energy development would greatly bolster Ghana’s energy security as well as filling the remaining gaps in electricity access.
The 350 Group recommended that, all planning and execution of renewable energy plans should be guided by a gender perspective.
The Group urged the government to embark on capacity gap assessment of the relevant government agencies to inform planning and implementation processes and roll out a pilot phase in few locations or communities to use as case study.
It called for a fully operational renewable energy fund to help ensure dedicated and sustainable means of financing Ghana’s Renewable energy programme.
