By Kodjo Adams
Accra, Sept. 18, GNA—Mr. Kwame Jantuah, Chairman of the Oil and Gas Sector, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has called for greater collaboration among renewable energy companies to create a unified industry voice to influence policy and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in the country.
He said the fragmented nature of the industry had made it difficult for renewable energy companies to present their concerns with a strong and coordinated voice.
Mr Jantuah made the call at the launch of the Renewable Energy Industry Platform (REIP) during the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition in Accra.
The Summit was on a sub-theme, “Strengthening Solar Industry Leadership and Accelerating Renewable Energy Adoption in Ghana.”
He said the platform was to bring together companies operating across the renewable energy sector to collectively address challenges confronting the industry and engage government more effectively.
“AGI has felt that it is important for us to be able to bring everybody together with one voice,” he said, adding that a stronger collective voice would improve the industry’s engagement with government.
The REIP, he stressed, would provide an avenue for companies to discuss issues affecting the renewable energy sector and develop common positions on policy and other industry concerns.
He noted that the country’s current contribution of renewable energy to the power mix remained low, describing the situation as a concern that required concerted action from industry and government.
He advocated policies that would encourage greater use of solar power in residential areas, adding that increased household adoption could help free up conventional electricity supplies for industrial users.
“If solar is pushed to residential, the moment you go off what you do, you just switch yours on, and it helps industry. It helps put conventional power into industry,” he said.
He identified the high cost of solar equipment, particularly batteries, as one of the major challenges that needed attention if renewable energy adoption was to expand.
He also raised concerns about the reliability of some solar-powered streetlights, citing a stretch of road near the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration as an example.
He said the streetlights along the road had once been fully operational but returned to darkness several weeks later, raising questions about maintenance and the sustainability of solar lighting projects.
He said the REIP could help bring such challenges to the attention of relevant authorities and facilitate discussions aimed at finding solutions.
He urged renewable energy companies, particularly those in the solar sector, to actively participate in the new platform and contribute their expertise and concerns.
A speech read on behalf of Mr Frederick Ken Appiah, Director of the Energy Commission, called for stronger collaboration between regulators and industry players to support the growth of Ghana’s renewable energy sector.
He said effective regulation should not be viewed merely as a restriction through permits, standards, and inspections, but as an important tool for building confidence among consumers and investors and creating a reliable energy market.
A speech read on behalf of Prof George Agyei, the Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, called for strict adherence to quality and safety standards in the renewable energy sector.
He said the growing renewable energy market required strong standards and conformity assessment systems to ensure that products and services entering the market were fit for purpose.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Kodjo Adams
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