STORY BY: EVANS OSEI BAFFOUR
The Ghana Energy Commission and Halla Energy and Environment, a Korea based Company have entered into an agreement aimed at investing into the country’s solar energy generation.
Chief Operating Officer of the Company, Mr. Byung Nam Kim, at a press conference held during the week, mentioned that Ghana has vast resources for solar energy which should be exploited for the benefit of the country.
According to him, the company is seeking the investment opportunity backed by the Korean government to produce 300 megawatts of solar energy in Ghana.
Mr. Kim said the meeting gave a clear picture as to what to expect in future and the company is keen on returning to Ghana upon the invitation of government to begin a six- month feasibility study in order to commence the project.
He however did not give an estimated figure or amount the Company would invest.
“Halla Energy and Environment have existed for 30 years with experience in energy and environment industry and is now concentrating on the new and renewable energy industry such as wind power, solar energy and hydro power industry to substitute fossil fuels to reduce carbon dioxide generation, a cause of global warming,” he added.
He said Ghana has established its economy with a rich resource bases for the solar energy hence the decision of the company to make the country the first in Africa to invest.
Mr. Kim said the company has played very important roles in the world economy including Spain, India, South Africa and the United States and Ghanaians should not entertain fears with regards to its eligibility.
He said the company has successfully completed a lot of environmental projects and developed accumulated high technology in the fields of waste treatment, waste water treatment and air pollution control.
Mr. Kim said the corporate entity will offer the most economical investment and operational cost and technical solutions in the field of industrial and environmental plants and renewable energy facilities.
For his part, Member of Parliament for Efigya Sekyere East, Mr. David H. Yeboah, said the Energy Commission attracts only 200 megawatts of solar energy instead of the 500 megawatts needed and expressed the hope that the Korean investment will help reverse the situation.