Accra, Nov. 17, GNA- The government is committed to the adoption of renewable energy technologies to promote climate resilience as part of reforms in the sector.
In that regard, the government has commenced the construction of three mini-grids at Azizkpe, Aflive and Alorkpem Islands in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region, expected to be completed in 2022.
Mr Kenneth Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, presenting the 2022 budget before Parliament on Wednesday, said the Government would construct 10 mini-grids in 10 island communities as well as supply and install solar home systems in 20 island and lakeside communities in 2022
He indicated that in 2022, a joint venture partner would be engaged to undertake the repowering of the T3 Power Project with Volta River Authority.
“Already construction works on the 200MW Phase 1 of the 400MW Early Power Project continued in 2021.
Construction works for the Stage 1A are 99.7 per cent complete and works for the Stage 1B (56MW) combined cycle are 93 per cent complete,” he said.
To ensure power affordability, he stated that the Government, in collaboration with key stakeholders, continued with the renegotiation and restructuring of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
“Government has reached agreements with some Independent Power Producers to convert power plants to tolling structures, switch to natural gas, as well as reduce tariffs.
“This is expected to result in considerable savings to the Government and the nation over the remaining lifespan of the PPAs. These savings are expected to come from a combination of reduced capacity and energy charges across the portfolio,” he said.
Mr Ofori-Atta said in pursuit of the President’s aspiration to achieve universal coverage of electricity by 2024, work was underway to connect some 512 communities to the national grid.
He said a total of 162 communities had been connected to the national grid thereby increasing the national electricity access rate from 85.17 percent in 2020 to 86.63 percent in 2021.
The Finance Minister indicated that in 2022, a total of 800 towns would be connected to the national grid under the SHEP-4, SHEP-5 and Turnkey Projects.
He said the government would select 2,401 communities with an average population of 400 and above to be connected to the national grid.
GNA