Government has taken a decisive step towards achieving its clean energy and green industrialisation goals with the official sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a 200-megawatt (MW) solar power plant at the Dawa Industrial Enclave in the Ningo-Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, described the initiative as a “historic milestone in Ghana’s pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable, and resilient energy future.”
According to him, the Dawa Solar Farm represents another bold step in the government’s commitment to diversify Ghana’s energy mix, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure universal access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy.
“This project is not merely the commencement of an infrastructure development; it is a statement of our collective commitment to the energy transition agenda and to Ghana’s industrial transformation,”
Powering green industry
The 200MW solar facility, expected to be expanded to 1,000MW in subsequent phases, will be among the largest renewable energy investments in Ghana’s history. Strategically located within the Dawa Industrial Zone, it is designed to provide a dedicated clean power source for industries, manufacturing operations, and exportoriented enterprises.
The Deputy Minister noted that by integrating renewable power directly into an industrial enclave, the project underscored how green energy can fuel industrial growth, create jobs, and advance climate action — three core pillars of Ghana’s Energy and Green Transition Strategy.
When completed, the solar farm will supply affordable and reliable electricity to industries, reduce pressure on the national grid, and significantly contribute to the government’s goal of achieving at least 10% renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2030.
National energy goals
Mr. Gyan-Mensah reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the National Energy Transition Framework, which charts Ghana’s pathway to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 while ensuring energy security and economic growth.
He noted that the project aligns with the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP), which calls for accelerated investments in solar, wind, bioenergy, and other renewable technologies. The Ministry, he revealed, was finalising an updated version of the Master Plan to guide renewable energy development between 2026 and 2030.
To further strengthen progress, he said the Ministry was developing a five-year strategic plan aimed at enhancing the renewable energy value chain, promoting emobility, and establishing green economic zones across Ghana’s southern, middle, and northern belts.
“We are in the process of establishing a Renewable Energy Authority to ensure that the sector contributes significantly to the government’s Big Push agenda,” the Deputy Energy Minister said.
Advancing Ghana’s energy mix
Currently, Ghana’s total installed electricity generation capacity stands at about 5,749MW, with renewables (excluding large hydro) accounting for approximately 5% or 270MW. The government aims to double this share to 10% by 2030, and the Dawa Solar Farm is projected to play a key role in achieving that target.
Over the next five years, Ghana expects to add around 1,400MW of modern renewable energy capacity, with the Dawa project serving as a cornerstone of this national effort.
Public-private collaboration
The Deputy Minister commended the collaboration among key stakeholders, including the Dawa Industrial Zone, Energy Commission, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), private investors, and development partners, for their instrumental roles in making the project possible.
He emphasised that such partnerships were critical to advancing Ghana’s energy transition and promoting inclusive, sustainable growth.
“As we cut the sod today, let it represent more than the beginning of construction. Let it symbolise the dawn of a new chapter in Ghana’s industrial and energy journey — a chapter powered by innovation, sustainabilityand shared prosperity,” Mr. Gyan-Mensah remarked.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah reafirmed the government’s commitment to complete and expand the project from 200MW to 1,000MW, positioning the Dawa Solar Farm as a beacon of Ghana’s green industrial revolution and a model for sustainable energy-driven development in Africa.
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