Energy Minister Initiates 1MW Solar Plant Construction at Dawhenya

Dawhenya: Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition, has initiated the construction of a 1MW solar power plant at the Dawhenya Irrigation Scheme in the Greater Accra Region. This project aims to enhance agricultural production in the area.According to Ghana News Agency, the solar plant is part of the Korean Government-funded Water-Energy-Food Nexus Project (WEFP), implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition in collaboration with the Korean Association of Machinery Industry. Other partners involved include the Ministry of Finance, Energy Commission, Electricity Company of Ghana, and the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.During the ceremony, Mr Jinapor highlighted the project's significance in addressing energy transition and food security challenges. He emphasized the necessity of clean, affordable, and reliable energy for irrigation systems, which in turn supports food production. The solar plant is expected to offer dep endable power for irrigation, lessen reliance on expensive diesel generators, and bolster rice production and food security in Dawhenya and its surrounding areas.The project, estimated at $5 million, includes construction, training for Ministry staff on plant operations, and other technical support. It is slated for completion within eight to twelve months. Mr Jinapor noted the project's alignment with Ghana's Nationally Determined Contributions, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create green jobs in agriculture and renewable energy.The Minister expressed concerns over Ghana's reliance on rain-fed agriculture, contrasting it with South Korea's advanced irrigation practices. He cited food inflation as a major contributor to Ghana's overall consumer price inflation of 23.8 per cent in 2024, driven by rising costs of staples. The government aims to irrigate over one million hectares in five years, starting with the deployment of solar water pumps.He revealed ongoing efforts with the Ministry of Finance to secure tax exemptions for imported materials and equipment for the plant and urged timely project completion. He also called on Dawhenya's farmers and residents to protect the facility and reclaim encroached irrigation lands for agricultural use.Madam Kim Hyunjoo, from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, emphasized the project's broader impact, linking it to Ghana's 'Feed Ghana' Programme and Korea's 'K-Rice Belt' initiative. She praised the collaboration between Ghanaian and Korean agencies, strengthening bilateral relations.Mr Kyu Young Hwang, CEO of Kunhwa Engineering and Consulting Co. Ltd, expressed pride in contributing to the initiative, despite challenges faced since the project's inception in 2023. The company successfully completed the design phase in 2024, working closely with Ghanaian agencies.