 |  | Wind turbines may one day power the majority of homes in Ghana.
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The majority of rural homes in Ghana remain in the dark, and it is unlikely that the country’s isolated communities will see the light in the night anytime soon. The expense to connect them to existing urban power grids is simply too great. But a local nonprofit organization, Rural Energy and Environmental Systems (REES), wants to bring power to the poor—by supplying affordable, reliable electricity to the remote areas and developing a local wind-turbine manufacturing industry. The NGO was joined in its efforts to establish a local supply chain for wind turbines by two international institutions, EnterpriseWorks Ghana and UK's Scoraig Wind Electric. Together, with the help of a Development Marketplace grant, they designed and piloted a 500-watt wind turbine prototype suitable for local conditions. Seventeen technicians from four local companies with an interest in renewable energy have been trained to build, install and repair small wind turbines. REES also established "demonstration centers" to highlight the potential of wind power to local communities. To date, ten wind turbines have been installed in eight communities previously lacking access to electricity. The electricity generated from the turbines is being harnesses for domestic and small business use, such as local battery-charging centers now saving villagers significant travel time and money. The project team aims to train more local manufacturers and eventually market the new Ghanaian-made wind turbines, initially targeting large argicultural companies. This could stimulate creation of a new local industry and create new jobs opportunities. The project has picked up support from CSIR, Africa's largest institution for R&D, technology and innovation. |
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