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Investment flows in water and energy
December 2, 2012, Sunday
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GHANA is rapidly developing its power generation potential with the help of foreign investors
Blessed with abundant natural resources such as fertile soils, great climate and the majestic Volta River, Ghana intends to become a net exporter of energy to neighbors that lack its advanced infrastructure and technical expertise and knowledge.
Nearly two thirds of Ghana's growing energy requirements are generated from hydro resources provided by the huge Volta Rover that has three main tributaries -- the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volt - and drains into the Gulf of Guinea.
The largest reservoir in the world, Lake Volta provides precious water resources for millions of people living in the wider region.
"Ghana is positioning itself to be a net exporter of power as we are surrounded by landlocked countries that don't have sufficient power," Ghana's Deputy Minister of Power, Inusah Fuseini says. "We want to make the right commercial strategy for those countries to purchase power from us, within the frame of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), to pool our resources together for our mutual and collective benefit."
Cabinet colleague Enoch Mensah, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, adds: "We can pursue our targets of having treated disposable water for residential and commercial use -- we just need the funding. We are in need of great sources of funding to build new, and restore old, water treatment plants. China has played very significant role in this sector."
With the vision to perform as a world class utility company delivering quality and acceptable services based on its distinctive competence and best practices in the water industry, Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is spearheading the development of the country's water resources.
GWCL is overseeing huge local and foreign investment in water-related projects such as the building of new treatment plants and pipelines and the rehabilitation and expansion of existing water supply networks and activities.
"The challenges we face are basically one and the same: matching supply and demand in water use and consumption, both for residential and business use," says GWCL Managing Director, Kweku Botwe, adding that alliances with private sector firms are aiding the sector's development.
"The investment scenario is extremely favorable in Ghana and in the water sector more emphasis is needed for the development of our economy and for better and more beneficial partnerships with foreign investors."
Established in 1961, The Volta River Authority (VRA) generates and supplies electricity for industrial, commercial and domestic use in Ghana and seeks to raise the living standards of people in Ghana and West Africa.
The VRA is behind several major current power generation projects that include wind, solar and thermal energy developments and wants to team up with foreign investors to maximize Ghana's vast energy potential.
"We have been producing power and developing the lives of people living in lake communities, and improving tourism and transport for more than 50 years," says VRA CEO, Kweku Awotwi. "Growing at 10 percnet per year means we need to build more power plants - that costs at least US$200 million to build - to meet that demand.
"If the government can provide the right fiscal regime, they can bring private sector players in, so VRA will be one of many companies providing electricity, and no longer the only one, like today."
Blessed with abundant natural resources such as fertile soils, great climate and the majestic Volta River, Ghana intends to become a net exporter of energy to neighbors that lack its advanced infrastructure and technical expertise and knowledge.
Nearly two thirds of Ghana's growing energy requirements are generated from hydro resources provided by the huge Volta Rover that has three main tributaries -- the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volt - and drains into the Gulf of Guinea.
The largest reservoir in the world, Lake Volta provides precious water resources for millions of people living in the wider region.
"Ghana is positioning itself to be a net exporter of power as we are surrounded by landlocked countries that don't have sufficient power," Ghana's Deputy Minister of Power, Inusah Fuseini says. "We want to make the right commercial strategy for those countries to purchase power from us, within the frame of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), to pool our resources together for our mutual and collective benefit."
Cabinet colleague Enoch Mensah, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, adds: "We can pursue our targets of having treated disposable water for residential and commercial use -- we just need the funding. We are in need of great sources of funding to build new, and restore old, water treatment plants. China has played very significant role in this sector."
With the vision to perform as a world class utility company delivering quality and acceptable services based on its distinctive competence and best practices in the water industry, Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is spearheading the development of the country's water resources.
GWCL is overseeing huge local and foreign investment in water-related projects such as the building of new treatment plants and pipelines and the rehabilitation and expansion of existing water supply networks and activities.
"The challenges we face are basically one and the same: matching supply and demand in water use and consumption, both for residential and business use," says GWCL Managing Director, Kweku Botwe, adding that alliances with private sector firms are aiding the sector's development.
"The investment scenario is extremely favorable in Ghana and in the water sector more emphasis is needed for the development of our economy and for better and more beneficial partnerships with foreign investors."
Established in 1961, The Volta River Authority (VRA) generates and supplies electricity for industrial, commercial and domestic use in Ghana and seeks to raise the living standards of people in Ghana and West Africa.
The VRA is behind several major current power generation projects that include wind, solar and thermal energy developments and wants to team up with foreign investors to maximize Ghana's vast energy potential.
"We have been producing power and developing the lives of people living in lake communities, and improving tourism and transport for more than 50 years," says VRA CEO, Kweku Awotwi. "Growing at 10 percnet per year means we need to build more power plants - that costs at least US$200 million to build - to meet that demand.
"If the government can provide the right fiscal regime, they can bring private sector players in, so VRA will be one of many companies providing electricity, and no longer the only one, like today."
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