Regulatory and policy options to encourage development of ...
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MODULE 9: RENEWABLE ENERGY: REGULATORY AND POLICY OPTIONSpage 9.95At least three palm-oil mills have biomass-fired power plants for generating electricityfrom palm fruit residues. These have a <strong>to</strong>tal generating capacity <strong>of</strong> 1.5 MW.Also, at least one sawmill runs a plant based on wood residue, while anothersuch plant lies ab<strong>and</strong>oned. 10 According <strong>to</strong> the technology catalogue <strong>of</strong> SNEP, thereare many commercial biomass cogeneration plants available in Ghana, operatingmainly in <strong>of</strong>f-grid locations.One <strong>of</strong> the most famous biogas projects in Ghana is the “Integrated Rural Energy<strong>and</strong> Environment Project” commissioned in 1990 at Appolonia in the Greater Accraregion. This pilot project was <strong>to</strong> produce biogas from human <strong>and</strong> animal waste,<strong>and</strong> the gas used <strong>to</strong> produce electricity <strong>and</strong> also for cooking. The system providedelectricity <strong>to</strong> five social centres, a school, 21 houses, <strong>and</strong> 15 streetlights.This project has shown itself <strong>to</strong> be unsustainable, <strong>and</strong> has come <strong>to</strong> a st<strong>and</strong>still. 11Recently, worldwide interest has been directed at bi<strong>of</strong>uels. A promising plant isJatropha curcas, which grows in arid conditions <strong>and</strong> yields seeds that can beprocessed in<strong>to</strong> biodiesel. This fuel has been shown <strong>to</strong> run in conventionalengines. Currently, a Jatropha oil-extracting project is running on a pilot basis inYaakrom in the Brong Ahafo region. In 2005, DaimlerChrysler <strong>and</strong> UNESCOannounced funding for a research project, Jatropha Energy Development for RuralCommunities in Ghana. The project will be undertaken by a team from KNUST <strong>and</strong>Cambridge University <strong>and</strong> aims <strong>to</strong> establish a small-scale industry for the developmen<strong>to</strong>f Jatropha diesel <strong>to</strong> serve rural communities. 12 The authors are unaware<strong>of</strong> any company that <strong>of</strong>fers any biomass technologies for sale at this time.3.2. Solar electricitySolar pho<strong>to</strong>voltaics (PVs) are by far the most popular renewable energy application.Solar electricity has been shown <strong>to</strong> be technically viable, but due <strong>to</strong> thehigh initial costs there has not been a widespread application <strong>of</strong> PV systemsnationwide. PV systems have been used <strong>to</strong> provide electric power mainly forhealth centres <strong>and</strong> for homes. Some PV systems have also been installed forcommercial applications such as telecommunication repeater stations, waterpumping, <strong>and</strong> battery charging. Furthermore, the solar lantern is quite wellreceived, <strong>and</strong> had the cost been lower, would have been a viable competi<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong> thekerosene lantern. In the urban areas, PV systems are <strong>of</strong>ten used in electricity backupsystems in areas where grid reliability is low. Also, a few wealthy individualsinvest in PV systems for their homes in order <strong>to</strong> diversify their energy sources.10Renewable Energy Development Programme, Draft National Renewable Energy Strategy, Ministry <strong>of</strong>Energy, Energy Commission, <strong>and</strong> DANIDA. Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2003.11E. K. Ackom, Technical & Economic Viability Analysis <strong>of</strong> Renewable Energy Technologies in Ghana.PhD Thesis. Br<strong>and</strong>enburg University <strong>of</strong> Technology, 2005.12www.mondialogo.org/106.html