Ministry supports development of alternative energy sources

Kumasi, Sept 6, GNA – The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, has indicated that it would collaborate with research institutions, academia and corporate bodies to develop and promote alternative energy sources for industrial and commercial use.

Ms Sherry Aryeetey, the Sector Minister, said developing technologies for clean and renewable energy such as large scale solar, wind, biogas and bio-fuel energy production was critical to reducing the nation’s over-dependence on hydro sources for its energy needs.

She said additionally, this would help limit greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel, which were destructive to the environment.

These were contained in a speech read on behalf of the Minister at the opening session of a three-day workshop on the “Development of second generation bio-fuels”, in Kumasi on Monday.

It was jointly organized by the Institute of Industrial Research of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Energy Centre of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and College of Engineering, University of Southampton, United Kingdom.

The workshop aimed at bringing together policy makers, academia and personnel in industry to deliberate on the promotion of second generation bio-fuels and share research experiences.

Ms Aryeetey noted that energy generated from hydro sources had greatly been hampered by climatic change and variability, leading to fluctuation in the water levels at the Akosombo and Kpong Dams and occasional power rationing.

She said it was imperative that the nation invested in improving bio-fuel research capacity to enhance energy security.

Ms Aryeetey said although Ghana prides itself of engineers, technologists and technicians engaged in the production and distribution of hydro power, energy, especially at Akosombo, the same could not be said about its capacity to engage in large scale alternative energy production.

The Minister said it was time the nation mobilized resources to develop the human capital and technology, particularly in the energy sector for sustainable development.

Dr Abdullai Baba Salifu, Director-General of the CSIR, called on the participants to take the workshop seriously to help Ghana develop alternative energy sources.