Tema, Ghana – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced a grant supporting a feasibility study for solar systems that will bring to clean power to thousands of people in Ghana as the Ghana Catholic Church works to transition its dioceses to solar energy. The U.S. firm, AEG International, an energy company, will conduct the study in partnership with the Ghanaian energy company, Strategic Security Systems International, and its subsidiary, Strategic Power Solutions.
The solar systems for the Project will be made from solar panels assembled in Ghana and from inverters, batteries and other equipment manufactured in the United States. The solar panels will be assembled at Strategic Power Solutions’ (“SPS”) manufacturing facility in Kpone, Ghana.
U.S. Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan hosted an event launching the feasibility study and marking the new partnership. Bishops and their representatives were present from the six dioceses of Techiman, Greater Accra, Koforidua, Keta-Akatsi, Kumasi and Tamale. Within the six dioceses, there are 28 health clinics and 310 schools, among other facilities, that will be transitioned to solar power through the Project.
“While Ghanaian workers in Kpone are assembling panels, American workers in the United States – in Washington and elsewhere – are making the inverters and batteries that will come together here in Ghana to create solar power systems for the benefit of thousands of people,” said U.S. Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan. “This is an excellent example of how companies in Ghana can increase local content and create jobs while engaging in smart international trade and solving issues critical to Ghana’s long-term development, such as accessible, reliable, and affordable energy.
“USTDA is proud to support the partnership between AEG International and Strategic Power Solutions,” said Heather Lanigan, USTDA’s Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. “This Project is expected to support jobs in both of our countries and to provide power to many Ghanaian businesses and households.”
Strategic Security Systems International Limited’s Chairman, Dr Francis Akuamoah Boateng noted, “We hope this new partnership will mark the first of many projects together. Solar power is an incredible opportunity for Ghana.”
AEG International President Tod Skinner said, “This project will benefit hundreds of people across Ghana by bringing solar power to schools, clinics, hospitals, and other facilities. AEG International is proud to partner with SPS and Strategic Security Systems International to create jobs in both of our countries and be part of a project expected to have such great impacts in Ghana.”
Strategic Security Systems International Limited’s subsidiary, SPS, has roughly 150 Ghanaian employees with 18 satellite offices throughout Ghana. SPS has an annual production capacity of 32 Mega Watt peak (MWp) of solar panels, and, with an expansion underway, it will have the capacity to produce 165 MWp of solar panels annually.
AEG International is based in Charlotte, North Carolina where its engineers design and build products used in over 20 countries, including Tanzania, Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Liberia, Rwanda, and Nigeria, with plans to expand its presence in Africa. Its energy solutions range from Firefly, to PAYGO solar home systems, to hybrid renewable energy systems with battery storage and stand-alone solar PV minigrids.