Global technology powerhouse, Siemens, has announced further significant investment in gas and steam energy generation projects in Ghana over the next three to five years.
One of the world’s largest energy, industrial and infrastructure companies, Siemens will roll out a series of projects, including new gas and steam turbines contributing hundreds of megawatts to the national power grid in Ghana.
At a VIP event in Accra, Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa CEO, Sabine Dall’Omo, said the global company was committed to assisting Ghana in meeting its expanding energy needs.
“We have identified Ghana as one of our key countries and our further investment is aimed at helping the country reach its economic goals and secure it as a serious contender on the African continent,” Dall’Omo said.
With a current power generation capacity of 2936 MW, Ghana requires significant further energy investment. Hydropower is by far the largest contributor to the country’s energy supply at 1580 MW, and the Ghanaian government aims to increase overall capacity to 5000 MW in the short to medium term, through harnessing renewable energy projects in the future.
Partnering with local companies to meet local power needs
As part of its increasing investments in Ghana, Siemens has been contracted by ENI to deliver two gas compression packages for its onshore receiving facility.
In line with this, Siemens has entered into a joint venture with local company Draper Oil and Gas Limited to form Siemens Oil and Gas. “Siemens is committed to collaborating with Ghanaian companies to ensure improved energy availability, building of local expertise as well as economic growth through job creation,” Sabine Dall’Omo said.
Other Flagship projects in Ghana
Siemens is also currently rolling out a steam turbine project with Group 5 in Kpone – the largest steam plant in the country contributing 350 MW to the grid.
Another project under way is the Tema Thermal Power Plant, which is being rolled out in two phases and includes the installation of eight gas turbines overall. It has the advantage of flexibility in times of unsecure gas supply, and will ultimately add 82 MW to the national grid.
“Siemens will in future be working with stakeholders to look into opportunities to harness wind energy to meet Ghana’s energy needs,” Dall’Omo said.
Wind power project in the offing
The company is working with partners to deliver a wind project of between 100MW and 150MW in Ghana, which is expected to be the first of its kind in the West Coast of Africa.
Sabine Dall’Omo told the media that studies have been completed and that the financial arrangement is being worked out for the project to commence.
“The wind project is quite an interesting one because it will, first of all, bring about diversification in Ghana’s energy sector and deepen the penetration of renewable energy in your generation mix, and the resource will be for free because the wind will be freely available. The wind speeds in Ghana are quite good, specifically on the West Coast. So you are properly situated to benefit from that kind of technology,” she said.
Strong Siemens representation in Ghana
To give meaning to its commitment to Ghana, Siemens has appointed Edmund Acheampong, a Ghanaian who has been working with the company in the United States, as new Ghana Country Manager. His team will be responsible for business development, sales and project execution.
Edmund Acheampong said at the event that Siemens is currently active in more than 200 countries, and has a 165-year track record in engineering excellence, innovation, quality and reliability.
“Siemens has a deep understanding of Ghana’s current and future energy needs, and is well placed to assist the country in addressing these challenges.”
B&FT