Parliament reads Renewable Energy Bill the second time

Accra, July 13, GNA - Parliament on Wednesday read the Renewable Energy Bill 2011 the second time and called on government to invest efforts in mitigating the negative environmental impact associated with traditional energy sources.

The 52 clause bill proceeds to the consideration stage where proposed amendments will be discussed on the floor of the House. The bill seeks to support and promote the exploitation, development, utilization and the efficient management of renewable energy sources.

It will also increase the percentage of renewable energy to about 10 per cent in the national energy mix and also regulate the fiscal regime and promote indigenous research and development to reduce the cost of renewable energy technology.

The bill is divided into eight sections that deal with preliminary provisions, special requirements relating to licenses, requirement for electricity generation, establishment and management of a renewable energy fund control, management of bio fuel and wood 96 fuel and miscellaneous provisions.

Mr Ernest Kofi Yaka, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Mines and Energy, in a report he presented on the floor of the House, said the passage of the bill would affirm government's commitment and assurance to both local and international investors in renewable energy of the viability of their investment.

He said it would also demonstrate the country's commitment to global climate change mitigation as well as lending support for international environment conventions such as the United Nations Framework for Climate Change, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy among others. 13 July 11