By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to the Ghanaian company, Buipe Solar Limited, in support of a feasibility study for a 20 megawatt solar photovoltaic plant in northern Ghana.
Ghana has tremendous solar energy potential, and this project will help the country capitalize on that potential. The solar plant will produce affordable energy while diversifying the country’s energy supply, making it more resilient.
Buipe Solar selected the U.S. firm, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff (New York), to conduct the feasibility study. The project presents a U.S. export potential of up to $17.4 million in PV modules, inverters, racks, and engineering services. BioTherm Energy will be developing the plant.
“We are proud to connect Buipe Solar with a leading U.S. company on this important project to expand energy access in Ghana,” said Lida Fitts, USTDA’s Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“We’re delighted to be selected as technical services partner for the Buipe Solar PV feasibility study,” said Mike Huisenga, Manager of the Renewable Energy Group for WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff. “We look forward to continuing our involvement in the power sector in Ghana, and we’re excited to play such an important role in helping to advance the country’s renewable energy objectives.”
Kwasi Boateng, Buipe Solar’s and BioTherm’s representative in Ghana said, “This solar project will result in direct and indirect employment for the Northern region, as well as build competencies and knowledge in a sector that is here to stay.”
The grant was signed by U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson, and BTSA Buipe Solar’s Director, Andre Dippenaar. This project advances the goals of Power Africa, a U.S. Government-led initiative to increase electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa.
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