Energy authorities in the country have intensified their search for alternative energy sources in the light of current power shortages and the highly volatile prices of petroleum products on the world market.
"This is an immediate response to review the energy situation in our country and to update ourselves of the opportunities that are available to us to resolve some of the challenges in the energy sector," said Energy Minister Joseph Kofi Adda, speaking at a stakeholders' workshop on bio-fuel in Accra Thursday.
Already, Government has begun research into the conversion of solid waste in Accra into usable energy to deal with the country"s current electricity shortage. A central waste management centre near Korle Lagoon would be created, to generate energy from the capital’s sewage, and to deal with the city’s sanitation problem at the same time.
But alternative energy must be pushed higher up the national agenda and developed as a matter of priority, the Energy Minister reiterated yesterday. Government will not be complacent about the development of alternative sources of energy for the country, he said - especially bio diesel, which is used for the movement of vehicles and for lighting.
The fact that oil prices are falling is good news for the country, Mr Adda said, but other solutions must also be pursued.
According to Mr Adda, who is also the Navrongo Central MP, since Ghana’s dependence on oil imports is expected to increase in the near future, over reliance on the commodity as a primary energy source, especially for the transport sector, will involve considerable risks for the energy security of the country.
The promotion of non-fossil fuel alternatives that is currently being pursued by Government will in future help solve the energy needs of the country, since Ghana is endowed with both edible and non-edible energy plant sources such as oil palm and Jatropha, which can be processed into ethanol and bio diesel.
Mr Adda assured those gathered of Government’s assistance to farmers for the development of the bio fuel sector. He noted that it is only the drastic implementation of decisions, and commitment from all stakeholders, that can bring bio-fuel development on a level with fossil fuel in terms of availability, cost, quality of service and marketing.
Cooperation is the key, the Minister said: Government, industry and motorists must work together to make the impact of Ghana’s bio fuel trade felt in international markets.
Managing Director of Bio diesel Christian Kofi Marfo, told The Statesman in an interview that he has for the past two years been using soya bean oil as fuel for his Toyota Land Cruiser utility vehicle, to demonstrate the efficacy of the product.
Mr Marfo however hinted that he plans to establish a company next year to produce bio diesel on a large scale for commercial purposes.
This he said, will be sold and distributed nationwide in consultation with certain selected fuel filling stations and transport companies, who might wish to convert their vehicles to bio diesel.
