By Benjamin Akoto
Sunyani, Oct. 11, GNA – Mr Collins Adomako-Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Energy says the country requires a reliable and affordable energy mix to drive the fourth industrial revolution.
He called for a strong collaboration between academia and industry in shaping policies that aligned with the demands of the fourth industrial revolution.
Mr Adomako-Mensah made the call at the opening session of the 19th Biennial workshop of the Ghana Science Association (GSA) in Sunyani.
It was on the theme: “Innovative, affordable and sustainable energy supply in Ghana for the fourth industrial revolution,” and aimed at finding solutions towards addressing emerging challenges in the nation’s energy sector.
Industry experts and policy makers and other major key stakeholders attended the workshop which also aimed at leveraging digital technology to mitigate energy crisis.
Mr Adomako-Mensah said energy transition was underway globally, pushing countries to decarbonise and shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, which had become an imperative driven by the imminent threat of climate change.
He said Ghana, like other countries was also experiencing the effect of climate challenge, saying the nation also ought to join the shift and to meet her energy demand needs to spur industrial and economic growth.
The National Energy Transition Framework and the National Energy Transition Investment Plan were all initiatives aimed to introduce new technologies including nuclear power, carbon capture, and wind energy to support Ghana’s energy needs in the future.
Mr Adomako-Mensah said the government was actively working to promote sustainable growth, using solar and natural gas to meet the nation’s projected domestic energy demand.
He said the significance of the electric mobility policy and the elimination of import taxes on commercial electric vehicles were major accomplishments of the government, saying those initiatives would facilitate widespread adoption and use of electric vehicles in the country.
That would greatly help the country to achieve her climate objectives and minimise the financial strain on her citizens.
Professor Gideon Kofi Helegbe, the National President of the GSA, said the nation’s energy sector was at a critical juncture, saying the convergence of technology, policy, and investment presented unprecedented opportunities for growth and development.
These opportunities would lead to enhanced energy efficiency, conservation efforts, innovative financing models, integration of renewable energy sources, and the implementation of off-grid and mini-grid solutions.
Prof. Helegbe said the goal of the energy transition was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure the efficient transmission, distribution, and utilisation of energy.
The International Energy Agency’s findings suggest that a significant portion of future greenhouse gas emission reductions must come from improvements in energy efficiency.
Prof. Nana Sarfo Agyemang Derkyi, the Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources said the fourth industrial revolution went beyond mere technological advancements.
It involves re-imagining the systems that support human lives, particularly in the realm of energy supply, he stated, and underscored the importance of pushing the boundaries of innovation in the energy sector, stressing the necessity of moving beyond traditional energy sources of solar, hydro, wind, and biomass.
Prof. Derkyi called on scientists to explore adoption of new technologies of battery storage and energy-efficient practices.
GNA