Potential Solutions To Our Pressing Challenges In Ghana - Electricity.
Hello everyone,
I am starting a new series where I educate ghanaians on some things we can do to help improve upon our lives in the country. Some of these things are right in our vicinities. We simply need to step forward and grab them.
I am referring to some of the most pressing challenges facing us as Ghanaians including water problems, electrical problems, roads, and many other things we could do to boost our very own standard of living.
In this section however, I will be focusing on the subject of electricity and its potential solutions.
Ghana is blessed to have numerous sources of clean energy such as;
- Dams, Wind, Solar, etc.
Out of these numerous source, only one is utilized for serving the whole nation. This means that, if you are planning on engaging
Yet, we are faced with the dreadful problem of loadshedding. This means that the power is intentionally cut off to ensure that there is adequate supply for the future. But what is making us resort to this.
The problem is because our country is solely reliant on hydroelectric power from only 3 stations. These are;
- The Akosombo Dam
- The Bui Dam &
- The Kpong Station.
These are still not enough to give us the needed amount of Kilowatts for unlimited supply of clean energy through the country.
A visit through the nation proves that our resources are being underutilized. This is beacause; In places like Navrongo, where the sun can reach temperatures of about 42 degree celcius, no working solar plant has been established for solar energy.
Also, we have very sharp trade winds that usually blow in the north-east direction from my basic knowledge in Social Studies. Where are the turbines to convert this energy?
It is high time we resorted to other energy sources to help curb our needs in this country rather than just hope for a miracle.
Alternative electricity sources therefore are ; solar energy, wind energy, biomass plant, nuclear energy, etc
It is high time we started exploring these solutions before it is too late to do something about it.
Solar energy is much priotised in European countries unlike Africa. Sweden has about 50% of its energy from renewable energy sources such solar, hydro, wind energy and so on. The inability to explore and make good use of the available energy resources in Ghana is a very serious problem. The intermittent nature of the hydropower dams( Bui, Kpong , Akosombo) and the thermal energy in Aboadzi affect the economy greatly. One good thing about solar is that , even if the atmosphere is cloudy still light rays pass through and with days of autonomy ,we can store enough energy to the national grid. I hope they pay attention to Navrongo and harness the abundant renewable energy resources to solve the erratic power outages we have experience for many years now. Thank you for creating this awareness. Your post is very informative and rich in content. Thank you for sharing
It is actually sad the amount of power that is going to waste. We could do so much more with our own sources of energy instead of just allowing it to waste away.
I personally think that the core for these problems we face in the country has to do with leadership. Leadership has a problem. When they are given funds to help improve some sectors, they put part in their pockets for their own use. So, they end up doing things that are not durable. And secondly our know how has a problem. I think we must invest in science and train alot of people to come and help. Great content bro. Share more.
@juzkid upvoted you 😄
I agree. We have to really tackle this leadership issue in order to stand a chance at development in our country. Otherwise, corruption is just going to keep bearing fruit.
Very true
I believe the government is well aware of these potential highlights. And yes there is a solar panel farm harnessing solar energy and adding to the grid here in Navrongo.
Yet these are not enough. I believe the problem is not in inadequate power generation facilities but lack of proper maintenance of the available facilities.
I am not saying the government shouldn't set up more solar fields in Navrongo but think of the environmental implications of such projects too. Large fields of land have to be cleared which will contribute to worsening the climatic conditions in Navrongo
The problems of power generation are dire a need careful reconsideration
Solar energy is unlike Wind turbine generators and hydro power were an entire community can be dislocated or where large forest can be cleared for the project , destroying governmental projects and so on. During my undergraduate project work , a feasibility study was conducted to assess the potential of cascading the down stream of Kpong dam for hydro power generation. Though per my findings , the hydropower that could be generated was good enough but the environmental effects or implications were too much of which we did not consider it as a good idea to put up another dam under Kpong. The impact of solar energy is very minimal. If you have realised , a roof top can be used to install it . It is all about the correct angle of inclination of 15° .As for the feasibility, they are dully and fully aware remember it takes a number years to initiate it. Bui dam for instance was discovered in 1925 but it was initiated and completed in early 2000s. The thermal energy which we largely depend on aside the Akosombo is intermittent and also contribute hugely to global warming. Remember it runs on fossil fuel unlike solar which is clean , eco-friendly and renewable.
Sure, Solar energy is clean. It is preferable but still needs the field. How convenient will mounting on rooftops be? not to talk of how expensive it is to set it up in the first place
Thermal power plant comes with huge initial capital aside the environmental pollution. I made mention of roof top to clear the environmental issues you raised earlier. Elsewhere roof top is functioning well . Even individuals connect their excess power to the national grid and they earn from it . Hydro , wind , thermal , tidal , geothermal all comes with huge initial capital. I am of the view that , if different countries are able to utilise renewable energy effectively why can't we do the same?
Great piece, I think a solar panel system is being constructed at Navrongo but not completed. I was reading on an article on electricity generation using fuel (coal, gas, diesel) and I realized that it is very expensive, Focusing on renewable energy sources such as wind, water and sun is the way to reach our potential as a country 😊.
The initial cost is very high but at the long run it becomes less expensive. If you use some of the software such as HOMER you will know the technical and financial aspect of it and definitely the number of years it will take to pay the money invested and probably the profit
You are right but considering how much money is being thrown away by our government on wasted projects and embezzlement, we ought to at least try.
Thank you for the education and your hard work