The largest rooftop solar panel installation in Africa was recently inaugurated in Ghana. The installation covers 95,745 square meters, equivalent to 20 football fields. This infrastructure is financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank. The expected production capacity is 24.7 GWh of clean energy per year.
Solar power plant in an industrial zone
Ghana’s ambition to accelerate its growth in renewable energy received a significant boost with the inauguration of a 16.82-megawatt rooftop solar power plant in Tema. Owned by LMI Holding Company Limited, it is the largest single rooftop solar power plant in Africa, constructed for 17 million USD.
The solar energy produced will be distributed to clients in the industrial zone of the Tema Free Zones Enclave (TFZE). Also known as the Mega Warehouse Rooftop Solar PV project, it is set to become a model for sustainable renewable energy progress in the country. The construction, connection, and installation of the entire project were carried out by Ghanaian engineers and technicians.
Project aligned with the Paris agreements
Just before the commissioning of the plant, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Herbert Krapa, stated that the project is also significant for its socio-economic impact. This project will facilitate the creation of sustainable and greener jobs for the population. Moreover, the country will be able to meet its nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement.
« This project is a shining example of how private companies can lead the charge in promoting environmental stewardship and aligning our operations with international sustainability standards », said the CEO of the Free Zones Authority, Mike Aaron Oquaye Jnr.
IFC supports energy projects in Africa
Financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the project plays a pivotal role in promoting renewable energy within the country’s industrial landscape. At the commissioning of the project, the Minister of State for Energy, Mr. Herbert Krapah, congratulated LMI Holding for its achievement and for establishing it at the gates of TFZE. He stated that the project aligns with the government’s energy goals to strengthen energy security for industrial customers.
This project also provides access to clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy sources through solar energy. He praised the IFC for financing the project and other LMI projects and urged the corporation to do the same with other private companies in the solar energy sector. According to Mr. Krapah, the project would not only create jobs but also empower the youth through vocational training.
In December 2023, the IFC approved a 110 million USD facility for LMI Holdings to develop an additional 150 megawatts of solar energy in Dawa.
