The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has announced a significant grant to support solar power generation in Ghana's Upper West Region. The grant, amounting to over $700,000, is directed towards Home Energy Africa Limited for technical assistance in developing a 100 megawatt solar photovoltaic project at Sankana.
Ghana faces challenges with unreliable and insufficient electric power supply, an issue prevalent across sub-Saharan Africa where two-thirds of the population lacks access to electricity. This situation hinders business operations and economic growth. In response, increasing access to power has become a priority in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Ghana.
Currently, Ghana's installed generation capacity stands at 2,450 megawatts. The government aims to double this capacity by the end of the year, targeting 5,000 megawatts with 10 percent sourced from renewable energy. Initiatives such as Power Africa and other partnerships aim to address these goals.
Home Energy Africa Limited has already made significant progress in early-stage development of the solar project. With this USTDA grant, they will collaborate with GreenMax Capital Advisors from the U.S. to finalize legal and financial aspects necessary for the project's completion.
"This is the hallmark of USTDA’s assistance: establishing links between U.S. companies and Ghanaian project sponsors," noted a spokesperson during the announcement event.
To date, USTDA has committed close to $21.5 million towards Power Africa transactions supporting nearly 670 megawatts of new power generation across Africa. The agency focuses on sustainable infrastructure development through project planning and partnership-building activities.
The collaboration between American and Ghanaian companies is seen as beneficial for both nations' economies and communities. Home Energy Africa Limited's efforts on this solar plant are expected to culminate in its commissioning by 2017.
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