President Obama Commits to Solar Power Investments

President Obama discusses about solar power to the audience during a stop in Nevada. Solar power will be part of a new initiative to bring electricity to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa.

          Along with more than $9 billion in private investments, the United States will be committing more than $7 billion in the next five years towards bringing electricity to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa, President Obama had said on Sunday in South Africa. "Access to electricity is fundamental to opportunity in this age," Obama said in announcing the solar initiative, known as Power Africa. "It's the light that children study by, the energy that allows an idea to be transformed into a real business. It's the lifeline for families to meet their most basic needs. And it's the connection that's needed to plug Africa into the grid of the global economy."
        Sub-Saharan Africa compromises 48 nations. Among the countries to be targeted initially are Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania. "These countries have set ambitious goals in electric power generation and are making the utility and energy sector reforms to pave the way for investment and growth," the White House said. The more than $7 billion in United States investment will include up to $5 billion in support from the United States Export-Import Bank.
       "More than two-thirds of the residents of sub-Saharan Africa lack access to power," the president said. "In rural areas of the region, more than 85% of people don't have electricity. Power Africa will deliver electricity to cities, villages, and farms throughout sub-Saharan Africa." According to the International Energy Agency, sub-Saharan Africa will need more than $300 billion in investment to provide power for everyone by 2030. "Power Africa will supply electricity to at least 20 million households and businesses," the White House said.

Japan Endorses Solar Energy to Ghana

      In the midst of Ghana's energy crisis, Japanese ambassador to Ghana, Naoto Nikai, has urged Ghanaian authorities to invest in solar energy. At an event to inaugurate the first stage of the 315 kilowatt Solar Electricity Generation System at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) in Accra, Nikai had stated: "The utilization of renewable energy, such as solar power, is the future and the utilization of it will enable us to better sustain our planet and our lives."
     In addition, Ghana is to be seen as a country plentiful of sunlight shining upon them throughout the year, which brings solar power to be an appropriate option for them. Nikai has claimed that in 2010, the government had extended a grant of 610 million yen (approximately $7.6 million) for the project aimed at introducing clean energy through solar electricity generation system for the Noguchi Institute.
     "I hope that the government of Ghana will fully utilize the system and ensure the provision of necessary resources to maintain it in good shape for years to come," said Nikai. Professor Kwadwo Ansah Koram, Director of NMIMR, also said the design and procurement processes were currently underway for the second stage of the project, which will increase the generation capacity by another 400 kilowatt hours, accumulating to a total of 715 kilowatt hours. He notes that this will add on to the electricity power generation in the country as well as adding the excess power to the power grid to supply the rest of the university. "Besides the immediate cost of savings," he said, "additional benefits will accrue in terms of reduction in carbon emissions and less delirious impact on the environment."
      Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, said "the first phase of the 315 kilowatt solar park is unique because it is the first large-scale project to be commissioned since the passage of the Renewable Energy Bill into Act (Act 823), which seeks to create the enabling environment for the development of renewable energy sources in Ghana." He also said the project was a clear demonstration that solar energy could contribute to cost-effective energy conservation and management, as well as government institutions.