Energy Minister impressed with work on Helios Solar Plant
Work is progressing steadily on the construction of the Helios Solar Plant Company, in the Tema Free Zones Enclave.
On Monday, November 27, 2023, Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, together with his two deputies, paid a day’s working visit to the project site, and expressed satisfaction with the pace of work.
Africa’s biggest
Owned by Helios Solar Company (Helios) and part of the LMI Holdings Group, a wholly owned Ghanaian company, the rooftop solar project will be the biggest in Africa when it becomes operational. It involves the installation of 29,252 solar panels of the latest N-type technology across a rooftop area of 95,000m2 of the International Warehousing Company Mega-warehouse located in the Tema Freezone.
A total of 128 Ghanaian nationals are directly employed in the implementation of the solar project. Once in use, it is projected that the solar system will annually produce 24,750 megawatts per hour (MWH) of clean, stable and sustainable electricity, and this quantum of power generated can power 55,000 homes.
The project is fully funded by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as part of $30 million clean power and water deal with LMI Holdings to support job creation and greener, more sustainable, and more competitive industrial development in the country.
Renewable energy penetration
Dr Opoku Prempeh said his ministry will continue to pursue the goal of achieving 30% renewable energy penetration by the year 2030. He reiterated support for the Helios solar project .
Industrialization
Briefing the Minister and his team, the Chief Executive Officer of LMI Group Holdings, Kojo Aduhene said as an indigenous Ghanaian company, LMI is fully committed to the task of facilitating Ghana’s industrialisation ambitions and boosting exports.
“Through this investment, the project will demonstrate how the private sector can bring effective solutions to development challenges. Helios Solar of LMI Holdings seek to support Ghana’s industrialisation ambitions for a greener and more sustainable future and support job creation,” he said.
Job creation
Sharing his perspectives, the IFC’s Senior Country Manager for Ghana, Kyle Kelhofer said the project demonstrates how the private sector can bring effective solutions to development challenges and support job creation.
“Through this investment, IFC’s first that is funding both infrastructure and development in an industrial special economic zone in sub-Saharan Africa, IFC is supporting Ghana’s industrialization ambitions for a greener and more sustainable future,” he stated.
