Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi
Parliament
has approved an amount of GH¢585,766,327 for the programmes and activities of
the Ministry of Energy in the 2020 fiscal year.
This
is an improvement over this year’s budgetary allocation of GH¢500.9 million for
the same ministry.
The
Chairman of the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, Emmanuel Akwasi
Gyamfi, said the ministry intends to add 194 MW to the country’s installed
capacity, connect 756 communities to the national grid, increase access to
electricity from 84.98% to 90% and distribute 12 million LED lamps in 2020.
He
said the ministry would also complete the 400MW Early Power Project Phase 1
stage two (40MW) to convert the plant to a combined cycle operation and the T3
repowering project.
“The
ministry will also distribute 60,000 LPG cook stoves in rural communities as
well as distribute 500,000 improved charcoal cook stoves in rural and
peri-urban areas where LPG fuel for cooking is not immediately available,” he
said.
According
to the chairman of the Mines and Energy Committee, the ministry would also
distribute 10,000 solar lanterns in the rural areas and connect five
communities to mini grid electricity.
“The
Ministry of Energy in 2020 will increase penetration of renewable energy supply
mix from 6.15 MW to 30 MW,” he indicated.
The
committee chairman said that from January 2019 to September 2019, Ghana’s oil
production from the country’s three main oil fields totalled 53.63 million
barrels translating into the production of 196,429 barrels per day.
He further explained that the ministry was able to train, certify and license about 1,264 electrical technicians to ensure proper wiring of all facilities to protect persons and properties.
By Thomas Fosu Jnr
