Drive Electric Initiative will prevent Ghana from becoming a dumping ground for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles—Energy Ministry Mrs Doris Doudu Deputy Director, Ministry of Energy.
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Drive Electric Initiative will prevent Ghana from becoming a dumping ground for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles—Energy Ministry

The Energy Ministry has revealed that Drive Electric Initiative will prevent Ghana from becoming a dumping ground for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles which are becoming outmoded in the European Union and other countries He said, with  Ghana’s ambitious target of achieving renewable energy commitment under the Paris Agreement, the country will not only be spearheading the drive for electric vehicles but leading Africa into clean and sustainable energy production and utilization. According to the Deputy Minister of Energy Hon. Herbert Krapa who was represented by the Deputy Director at the Ministry of Energy Mrs. Doris Doudu, the recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) makes it clear that the world has less than 10 years to switch to renewable energy to avoid catastrophic climate change. “It is not so much a “lifestyle choice”, but a necessity for survival for everyone to switch to Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the next few years and contribute to the reduction of global warming”. He acknowledged the Drive Electric Initiative as an innovative move by the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Commission to achieve the following: Increase electricity demand sustainably to match supply as a way of partially addressing the electricity generation over capacity; To prevent Ghana from becoming a dumping ground for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles which are becoming outmoded in the European Union and other countries; and To usher in an era of green and sustainable technology for the future and help to deal with environmental pollution as vehicular population grows. Ghana is blessed with several petroleum discoveries in recent times. Significant amounts of gas discoveries have also been made. Our current installed capacity of 5400MW is significantly more than our current peak demand of about 3700MW. At this current rate, Ghana will need to create demand within the system to take the excess supply of electricity.4 In addition to current oil and gas discoveries, the solar energy potential is enormous and can be harnessed to provide clean and sustainable energy for mobility. Responding to the question ‘why electric vehicle’? the Minister said, “Climate and emissions concerns have brought the adoption of EVs to the forefront in recent times. The governments of some of the biggest automotive markets around the world have not only declared their intentions but have taken bold steps to embrace EVs to take dramatic steps to curb emissions. France and the United Kingdom (UK) are looking to ban the sale of gas and diesel-powered vehicles beginning 2023 and completely by 2040. China, the largest auto market in the world has publicly started charting a plan for an all-out ban on vehicles powered by internal combustion engines”. He believes is time for Ghana and Africa to follow suit and make plans towards embracing electric vehicles ourselves in order to harness our enormous solar energy potential productively to meet our climate emission targets while simultaneously providing clean and affordable means of transport. “The Drive Electric initiative will enable us to increase our electricity intake and as such increase the much-needed demand we need to reduce or eliminate the payment of high-capacity charges while meeting our climate targets”. Giving a brief information about Electric Vehicles the Minister says studies have shown that it takes about three to ten minutes to fill up a petrol or diesel engine car at a filling station with enough fuel to travel about 300 miles, costing about $35 in the USA. To travel 300 miles in a small EV passenger car would need three full charges of a typical 25kWh battery used to power these vehicles costing about $2.50 per charge in the USA with electricity priced at $0.10 per unit (kWh). The enormous savings one makes on using EV is so huge compared to petrol or diesel engine vehicle. The low energy cost is one of the attractions of owning an EV. What will the Drive Electric campaign offer Ghana? The National Energy Transition Framework as part of its decarbonization activities seeks to promotes and ensure the use of electric vehicle as an alternative cleaner efficient means of transportation. The use of electric vehicles in the country will promote renewable energy and also contribute to reduction in pollution. As is already apparent, pollution in cities is killing people, affecting the physical and mental development of children and raising a case for the urgent need to change to EVs, walking, cycling, and electric mass transit. Ghana will be one of the first to set an example that West Africa and for that matter Africa can be a part of the success story of electric mobility. Baseline study by Energy Commission reveals that; The Energy Commission put together the Baseline Committee made up of; Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Energy, Energy Commission, Ahenkorah &partners, PURC, KNUST, GRA, ECG, DVLA and GRA to establish a baseline report for the EV industry in Ghana and to equip public and private sector institutions working in the EV space with the knowledge and tools required to steer progress in the e-mobility space in Ghana, drawing on surveys and research in the sector. Findings from the survey Ghana has four level 2 charging stations, available to the public but all are located in Accra. One POBAD charging station located at the A&C Mall in East Legon, two Porsche charging station located at Palace Mall and Kempinski Hotel respectively and Total Energies charging station located at 37. Survey results indicate that the skills for EV servicing i.e. maintenance and repair are in short supply in Ghana. Only three (3) EV dealerships reported having functional service facilities and well-trained technicians. But many more dealerships are willing to venture into EV maintenance with the appropriate training and support. There is huge gap in terms of awareness of the benefits of e-vehicles and its evident in how most Ghanaians react to owing an EV according to survey results among EV owners. According to the International Trade Centre, about 17,660 Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEVs) were imported into Ghana between January 2017

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Leveraging the Private Sector to Develop a Vibrant Oil and Gas Industry– Energy Minister
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Leveraging the Private Sector to Develop a Vibrant Oil and Gas Industry– Energy Minister

The Energy Minister Mr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh at the Ghana country spotlight event at the African Energy Week on the theme “Leveraging the Private Sector to Develop a Vibrant Oil and Gas Industry”, has called on African Oil and Gas decision makers to make a conscious effort at value addition in the value chain as it is one of the ways by which our respective citizens can fully benefit from the hydrocarbon potential. The Minister indicated that a deliberate investment in infrastructure is also a key plank for accelerated growth as this is bound to catalyze interest in further exploration. Mr. Prempeh further asked for the linkages between upstream and downstream to be harnessed on the continent to ensure value maximisation and retention. This, he said could be done by expanding the refining capacity and storage for crude oil and petroleum products and providing the appropriate infrastructure for petrochemical production and transportation of gas and petroleum products will provide these linkages. He cited Ghana’s serious efforts at revamping the nation’s refinery to support our economic growth. He reiterated Ghana’s quest for massive investment in its upstream petroleum space and thus, asked investors and governments to partner our energy sector for continued development. Speaking as a panelist on a Ministerial panel, on the theme “From Cape Town to Cairo: A common African Voice for COP27” He reiterated his strong position on Ghana leveraging on its hydrocarbon resources for economic growth backed by our national energy transition blue print. “We are transiting on our terms, because of our peculiar circumstances as a continent”. Africa continues to deepen its stance on energy transition of not being against the transition in principle but asking for a just and an equitable one. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email: apexnewsgh@gmail.com

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We’ll partner to develop Ghana’s upstream oil, gas industry – Prempeh to NAIT Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh in the middle
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We’ll partner to develop Ghana’s upstream oil, gas industry – Prempeh to NAIT

Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has said Ghana is committed to building partnerships that will ensure that Ghanaians are equipped with the relevant skills to be able to participate in the upstream oil and gas industry. Dr. Prempeh made this assertion when he led a delegation comprising of officials from the Ministry of Energy and the Petroleum Commission to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, Canada. The visit, in furtherance of the government’s commitment to the Accelerated Oil and Gas Capacity Programme (AOGC) enabled the Minister to assess at first-hand, the training capacity of the Institute, a leading name in North America. The Minister recalled his particular interest in technical education as Ghana’s immediate past Minister of Education and how under his watch, he initiated legal processes in parliament to delink Technical, Vocational and Service Training from the Ghana Education Service to stand-alone for the purpose of emphasis. The Manhyia South legislator said the AOGC Programme by the NPP government is a strategic vehicle to ensure that Ghanaians are equipped with the relevant skills to be able to participate in the upstream oil and gas industry. “Local content and local participation in Ghana’s upstream industry is an article of faith for me and, therefore, going round and seeing the facilities here at NAIT is indicative that you can support our country achieve our potential,” he said. He continued “on my assumption of office as Minister, I have been made aware of your training and certification of five Ghanaians and the upcoming training of nine instructors. Ghana will leave no stone unturned, and we ask you to support us with the best.” For her part, Ms Laura Jo Gaunta, President of NAIT expressed delight at seeing the Ghanaian delegation and reiterated the school’s commitment to supporting the industry with the best. “We’re happy to see you, Mr Minister. For us, our pleasure is to see our products contributing immensely to industry and we remain committed to this,” she said. On a guided tour of NAIT’s state-of-the-art laboratories, Dr Prempeh expressed satisfaction with the preparedness of the Institute for industry and urged them to do more. The Ghanaian delegation included Chief Director at the Ministry, Mr Lawrence Apaalse, CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Egbert Faibille Jnr., Executive Director for COTVET, Dr Frederick Kyei as well as other officials from the Petroleum Commission. —Classfm Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093

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Work to ensure stable supply of petroleum products – Prempeh to tanker owners, drivers Energy in a meeting with tanker drivers, owners
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Work to ensure stable supply of petroleum products – Prempeh to tanker owners, drivers

The Energy Ministry will continue to provide the necessary space and support to the petroleum downstream industry to ensure that it continues to play its strategic role in the development of the nation. These were the words of Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh when he held separate meetings with the executives of the Tanker Drivers Union and the Tanker Owners Union in Accra on Tuesday, 16 March 2021. The two Unions called on the new Energy Minister to formally welcome him to the energy sector and to discuss issues that are relevant to their operations. In both meetings, Dr Prempeh emphasised the importance of tanker operations to the petroleum downstream industry, and urged the two to continue working together to find common ground to ensure stable supply of petroleum products. The two Unions assured the Minister that they will do their best to keep the industry moving. Classfmonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093

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