Mr. Michael Neulinger, Head of Energy and Environment Department of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK Ghana), has disclosed to the Business & Financial Times that the upcoming Trade Mission to the country by German companies with expertise in Renewable Energy is to explore opportunities in partnering local companies. Aside from supplying renewable energy technology and solutions to Ghana and West Africa, the companies also intend to train local personnel in requisite skills and knowledge to support the industry.
He said working through its cooperation and development agencies such as AHK Ghana, GTAI and GIZ, Germany has supported the development framework to promote renewable energy in the country. This is based on its expertise in the area and belief in the country’s potential for producing more power from renewable energy.
The Trade Mission, which commences on Monday 18th April and ends on Friday 22nd April, is dubbed ‘Ensuring reliable and affordable power supply: Reliable energy applications for Industries in Ghana’ and will be opened with a conference.
Mr. Neulinger said there will also be match-making meetings scheduled with local partners during the visit, which is being coordinated by AHK Ghana with financing from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Meanwhile, he said, the country has to provide the needed infrastructure required in attaining the target of increasing the portion of renewable energy sources in the power generation mix to 10% by 2020. With the Renewable Energy Act considered a good framework, the country’s roadmap to achieving the target must include heavy investments in supporting infrastructure to improve the stability and reliability of the grid. On the other hand, building such an infrastructure takes time.
Companies included in the Trade Mission are Eco Energie GmbH, with expertise in renewable energy generation solutions; and GBG New Energie GmbH, an independent off-grid, hybrid energy generation solutions provider.
The other companies are Sunset Energie and One Shore Energie, both of which are into off-grid solar and PV hybrid; and Planet Biogas GmbH, which is into the construction of biogas plants.
All these companies have been very active in Africa for many years, as proven by their reference projects. They see the country as an attractive market for solutions in renewable energy efficiency and services.
The ExperTS programme promotes sustainable business practices around the world. In around 30 countries, experts placed by the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM) are advising local and German companies on development policy issues.
The programme, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to forge closer links between foreign trade promotion and development policy. It is being implemented jointly by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), GmbH, the German Chambers of Commerce, Delegations of German Industry and Commerce, and bilateral business associations.
Source: B&FT Online