Ghana considering clean coal technology for power production
Ghana is considering introducing clean coal technology into its power generation mix for the production of electricity, Dr Kwabena Donkor, the Minister of Power, has said.
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He said the introduction of clean coal technology would help resolve the deficit in power which had led to the current load-shedding programme.
According to him, “clean coal power generation remains about the best option for the country to meet its electricity shortfall and, most importantly, at a faster pace, cheaper and more affordable cost than existing technologies in the country now”.
Power generation plants
Dr Donkor was speaking during a facility tour of the Shenzen Energy Group (SEC), a coal power plant in Shenzen, China, where he is leading a six-member government delegation on a working visit to a number of power generation plants.
The SEG is in charge of the Sunnon Asogli Power Plant in Tema, currently generating 200MW of electricity and working on the second phase for the generation of another 360MW.
Dr Donkor and his delegation visited a number of power generation sites, including the Heyuan Hopewell Coal Plant and the Sihong Xiehe Wind Farm at Nanjing, the Huawei Headquarters at Shenzen and also paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Shenzen, Mr Zhang Hu.
Other members of the delegation are Mr Sam William Appiah, the Director of Generation and Transmission at the Ministry of Power; Mr Samuel Sarpong, the Chief Executive of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC); Mr Solomon Agyetey Sowah, the Deputy Director of Distribution; Mr Kweku Sersah-Johnson, the Head of Public Affairs, both of the Ministry of Power, and Mrs Nana Yaa Jantuah, the Head of Communications at the PURC.
Climate change
The minister said clean coal technology for power generation had undergone significant scientific reforms which made it environmentally responsive.
As a result, he said, almost all leading developing countries championing the cause of climate change and environmental sustainability were using clean coal as their major source of power generation.
Dr Donkor said the government had created the enabling environment for both state and non-state actors and independent power producers to invest in the energy generation mix to ensure that load shedding never recurred.
The government, he said, was also encouraging both conventional and non-conventional systems of power generation and renewable energy, including solar and wind farms, new gas-fired plants, biomass fuelled plants and tidal-powered generation.
Zero water wastage
The President of the SEC, Mr Wang Huinong, disclosed that modern coal power technology had zero water wastage, 100 per cent solid waste utilisation and recycling with waste water sludge made into fence bricks.
Quick Read
* A six-member government delegation led by the Minister of Power, Dr Kwabena Donkor, is on a facility tour of some power generation plants in China.
* The delegation visited the Shenzen Energy Group (SEC), the Heyuan Hopewell Coal Plant, the Sihong Xiehe Wind Farm at Nanjing and the Huawei Headquarters in Shenzen.