The Ghana Chamber of Mines has officially switched to solar power in a bid to join the campaign of transitioning to renewable energy.
This means the chamber’s secretariat in Accra will now rely on solar as its main source of power thereby lessening the pressure on the national grid.
Speaking at the inauguration of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the secretariat of the Ghana Chamber of Mines on Tuesday (4 April), the vice-president of the chamber George Nutor described the move as the chamber’s commitment to promoting environmentally and socially responsible mining in Ghana.
“Given the effects of climate change and our aspirations of promoting environmentally and socially responsible mining in Ghana, improving energy efficiency and transitioning to clean energy are just some of the ways of ensuring sustainability and mitigating the effects of climate change in Ghana.
“We are in an era of implementing environment, social and governance (ESG) principles in our business operations. The transition to renewable or clean energy falls under the ESG. It is therefore imperative that we take the lead to transition to clean energy since most investors and financial institutions also favour renewable and clean energy,” he said.
“I am excited to be here this morning to inaugurate this system which demonstrates the mining industry’s long-standing commitment to promoting environmentally and socially responsible mining in Ghana,” he added.
About the solar PV system
The solar system that was designed to meet the secretariat’s electricity requirements has an installed capacity of 84kWp and was constructed at a total cost of US$122,316.35.
At peak conditions, the system has the capacity to generate 111,000 kWh, and its use has reduced the Chamber’s consumption of electricity from the national grid by nearly 75 per cent.
The payback period for the project is estimated to be under eight (8) years based on a set of assumptions on the exchange rate and electricity tariff. The infrastructure has a warranty period of 10 years and a performance period of twenty-five (25) years.
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra
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