The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has urged the House to establish the Renewable Energy Authority to regulate the country’s renewable energy drive.

According to him, despite the immense contributions of stakeholders in the energy sector who continue to provide scientific research-support towards the development of renewable energy, “it is undeniable that the establishment of the Renewable Energy Authority is deficient in all of our achievements under renewable energy in Ghana.”

He said when the Renewable Energy Authority is established, it will oversee the implementation of renewable energy activities in the country, execute renewable energy projects initiated by the State and manage the assets in the renewable energy sector on behalf of the State – duties currently being undertaken by the Renewable Energy Directorate under the Ministry of Energy.

Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who is also MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri said per standard practice in countries where governments are positioned to come to the realization of their renewable energy objectives, there is the establishment of institutions to steer that vision, thus same should be replicated in Ghana.

“In any event, all these serve as a signal to us about the need for the establishment of our Renewable Energy Authority which will take up the full responsibility of meeting Ghana’s renewable energy objectives,” he said.

He added that despite the many challenges faced by Ghana’s renewable energy initiative including the poor financing of renewable energy investments, lack of affordability of renewable energy systems and cumbersome licensing processes among others, the establishment of the Renewable Energy Authority will ensure unwavering dedication to achieving Ghana’s climate action.

“With the Renewable Energy Authority in place, we can be confident of full dedication to the implementation of renewable energy policies, and situation-based regulation of activities specific to renewable energy industry to ensure its growth is well supported, to meet the level of sustainability that will enable Ghana to be a clean energy country as part of our climate action,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh is of the view that the country is well positioned with robust policy framework that supports renewable energy even as a viable venture for investment.

“With the Renewable Energy Act and the Master Plan in place, the missing piece is without doubt the respective Renewable Energy Authority, to lead the crusade to transform Ghana’s energy sector for the future of alternative energy, while doing away with traditional carbon-emitting energy generation practices that have resulted in climate change and the threat to our ecosystems,” he concluded.