First phase of Noguchi solar project completed
The Japanese Government on Wednesday handed over 315KW solar panels to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) at Legon to help generate electricity.
The facility, covering the first phase, would provide reliable energy for the NMIMR to undertake its mandate of health research and provide training opportunities in biomedical research for undergraduate and post graduate students.
It would also provide laboratory diagnostic and monitoring services in support of public health programmes in the country.
The project, which was supported with a grant of $6.8 million from the Japanese Government, involved the design, procurement processes and installation.
The design and procurement processes are currently underway for the second phase of the project, which would generate additional 400KW when completed to enable the Institute to generate a total of 715KW of power into the national grid.
The project, code named: “Project for Introducing Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System,” would provide reliable and pollution-free electricity for the Institute and its environs.
Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, commended the Japanese Government for the tremendous support offered the nation, especially the Institute and the University.
He said the solar power would go a long way to reduce the high cost of generating energy to the University.
“It is my hope that the second phase would also be executed with dispatch just as the first phase to enable the University to derive the maximum benefit,” he said.
Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram, Director of NMIMR, recounted the challenges the Institute faced when clearing its equipment from the harbour and pleaded with the relevant authorities and agencies to assist in that direction.
Mr Naoto Nikai, Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, commended the Institute for becoming one of the key research bodies on the continent.
He said the system was the biggest in the history of Ghana, and expressed the hope that the project would not only assist the Institute but stimulate and promote further establishment of more large-scale photovoltaic systems in Ghana.
Mr Wisdom Ahiatatu-Togobo, Director of Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, who read the minister’s speech, commended the Japanese Government for the grant and described the solar project as unique and the first to be commissioned since the passage of the renewable energy bill into an act.
Source: GNA