- Swiss engineering company NEK has announced its plans to generate 1,000MW of electricity from several wind farms in Ghana.
- The independent power producer believes the implementation of this megaproject will serve as incentive to implement Ghana’s plan to transition its electricity supply to 100% renewables by 2040.
Currently, Ghana’s electricity mix is dominated by thermal power generated by large fossil fuel-fired power plants. However, climate change is starting to affect hydropower production because of declining river flows.
NEK’s planned project spans several phases. The first phase is expected to generate 160MW and the second, 75MW. The company has already secured several concessions in Ghana, including in the locality of Amlakpo, more than 80km from Ghanaian capital Accra, where they want to build a 200MW wind farm.
In Ayitepa in the south-east of Ghana, NEK will develop a 225MW wind farm. Studies to construct this facility started in 1998.
The preliminary geological survey on the Konikablo Wind Farm project in Ningo was carried out at the end of January 2020, much to the interest of the local population. This preliminary investigation will allow for a detailed plan for the turbine location and dimensioning of their foundations.
Since Ghanaian authorities have made the wearing of face masks mandatory due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cost of masks can be a barrier, the wind farm developers have stepped in to donate and distribute reusable masks to their host communities around the Konikablo Wind Farm project.
The Koluedor Wind Farm project site is located in the Ningo Prampram, around 70 to 75kms east of Accra. This project should provide 160MW of installed power from 48 turbines. The planned Madavunu Wind Farm in the Ada West District will provide up to 200MW installed power from 60 turbines.
Read more about the NEK project pipelinne here.
Author: Theresa Smith
This article was originally published on ESI Africa and is republished with permission with minor editorial changes.
1 Comment
Am glad to know about your clean power project to start in Ghana.
Am an electrical/electronic engineer with Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, manger with one of the radio stations in the Northern part of Ghana
Please can we link up to do a survey around the Northern part of Ghana to see how much site we can get there?
Am to do my masters in renewable energy technologie next year
As a young engineer, it one of my interest area and wish given the opportunity to work with your outfit Please, thanks