By: Mabel Adorkor Annang
Ghana will soon start the production of solar batteries by leveraging its lithium resource.
This is in line with the National Energy Transition Agenda which entails tapping into existing natural energy sources to make the shift to net zero emission, affordable and sustainable.
Ghana’s discovery of lithium is said to present another opportunity for the country to produce renewable equipment for the African market.
A Deputy Energy Minister Andrew Egypa-Mercer made this known at the 2022 Africa Energy Conference in Accra, organized by the Business and Financial Times in Accra.
“The opportunity for an industrial and commercial venture into the renewable market has a potential to generate revenue, job creation and energy security enhancement. Ghana’s recent discovery of high-grade lithium is an achievement the government intends to leverage in exploring the real possibility of manufacturing solar batteries locally,” Mr. Egypa-Mercer hinted.
Mr. Egypa-Mercer advised African states to take advantage of the transitioning process and invest in natural energy sources.
“It behooves African nations to strategize through the challenges of the times. New and innovative methods must be employed to attract energy finance and investment, local technical capacity must be speedily enhanced to reduce reliance on Western support and energy-related cross-border collaborations amongst African Nations must be encouraged.” he intimated.
Chief Executive Officer of the Business and Financial Times Dr. Godwin Acquaye, called for the acceleration of investments in technology, innovations, policies and regulations to enhance the adoption of renewable energy.
“Our collective aspiration must be high and we should drive for universal access to energy in Africa by 2030 as the World Bank projects. For this to happen, countries will need to scale up ongoing efforts in the energy sector, institute a stronger political will and we as partners must work,” he added.
The maiden edition of the 2022 Africa Energy Conference focused on highlighting the infrastructure gap, financing options and energy transition opportunities in the African energy sector.
Issues of geopolitics, prioritization of energy needs and how African states can plan and engage the citizenry on the energy transition plan were emphasized during a panel discussion.
Industry players proffered solutions on how governments and the private sector can access financing to bridge the sector’s infrastructure gap, achieve lower emissions and energy transition targets in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The Conference was under the theme, “Africa’s energy future- achieving an all-round competitiveness and sustainability to support the continent’s development ambitions”.
