Hybrid waste-to-energy and solar power plant in Ghana
Context
Kumasi, Ghana’s wood processing hub, generates large amounts of wood and agricultural waste, most of which is either burned or dumped in landfills. Frequent power outages in the area also affect energy availability for businesses and industries.
According to national energy statistics, in 2022, thermal power comprised 61.8% of electricity generation, hydropower 37.7%, and other renewables just 0.6%. With climate change expected to reduce hydropower, thermal power is projected to rise to 70% of total power generation. Meanwhile, Ghana’s Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Uses (AFOLU) sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 54.4% (or 42.2 MtCO2e). This includes timber industry waste caused by inefficient processing and unsustainable practices.
To help address energy and waste management challenges, Kwamoka Energy is developing a hybrid power plant in Kumasi that combines waste-to-energy and solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies. The project aims to generate at least 6 MW of electricity using 80,000–90,000 tons of wood waste, which would otherwise be burned and emit up to 12,262 tCO2e annually.
Goal
The technical assistance will help convert biomass waste in the Ashanti Region into clean, affordable energy. It will support the development and implementation of Kwamoka Energy’s proposed 14 MW hybrid waste-to-energy and solar PV power plant. Utilizing wood and agricultural wastes in combination with solar energy, this project will reduce GHG emissions, improve electricity supply, promote responsible waste management, and support Ghana’s renewable energy targets.
CAA Technical Assistance
The technical assistance for this project will focus on updating four key studies to ensure they reflect current data and meet regulatory standards:
- Feasibility study
- Detailed project report
- Project valuation
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
These updates are necessary to ensure the project is technically sound, financially viable, and ready for investment.
The technical assistance will also include:
- A gender assessment of Kwamoka Energy and the project, followed by a gender action plan. This will help improve gender equality across company operations and ensure the project supports inclusive development.
- Provide expert guidance on data collection, methodology, and quality control to ensure all deliverables meet industry standards.
- Support the project team in building GHG emissions estimation, financial modeling, and risk analysis skills. This hands-on support will improve the current project and strengthen the team’s ability to manage similar projects in the future.
Additionally, the technical assistance will guide the project team in meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements and ensure that all stakeholder feedback, especially on the ESIA and gender assessment, is reflected in project design and implementation.
