A key finding of the book is that renewable energy in general and solar energy in particular can make an important contribution to electricity supply, especially in rural areas which do not currently have access to the national grid Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology College of Engineering Press Release, 29 October 2007 The recent power crisis in Ghana was due more to the shortage of generation capacity in the country than to low levels of water in the Volta Lake Reservoir. There is also considerable potential for energy savings particularly in the residential sector where simple measures like the use of energy efficient lighting can result in a significant reduction in the country’s demand for electric power. These are two of the key messages contained in a book entitled “Energy Crisis in Ghana: Drought, Technology or Policy?” launched by the Vice-Chancellor today, 29 October 2007, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
Other key messages in the energy crisis book include the fact that renewable energy in general and solar energy in particular can make an important contribution to electricity supply especially in rural areas which do not currently have access to the national grid. The book also points out that given a favourable policy environment, the private sector should be able to help address the need for new power plants, natural gas distribution systems to make full use of the West African Gas Pipeline, and renewable energy systems including solar PV, wind and biofuels. Policy implementation weaknesses are also highlighted in the book. In particular, the book regards planning without adequate provision for financing the plan implementation as a major constraint in power sector development in Ghana. The book therefore affirms that until these weaknesses are addressed we may not be able to realise the dream of making power crises a thing of the past.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof S. A. Osei pointed to the wide array of expertise that exists at KNUST and the need for The Energy Centre, KNUST to harness this expertise to tackle energy and other development problems in the country. Prof Osei, Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, indicated that agriculturists in the university are prepared to set a good example by developing a jatropha plantation to produce oil that can be used or transformed into fuel for KNUST’s diesel transport fleet.
Prof Ebenezer Jackson, who chaired the book launch on behalf of the Provost of the College of Engineering, emphasized the fact that KNUST has been at the forefront of energy technology and policy research in Ghana for several decades. Prof Jackson also commended the editors of the book, Prof Abeeku Brew-Hammond and Mr Francis Kemausuor, and encouraged them to intensify their efforts in tackling national energy technology and policy issues working with their colleagues in engineering as well as other disciplines of the university through The Energy Centre, KNUST.
You can also buy the book in hardback or digital copy
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