Ghana celebrates its first Global Wind Day as over 250 students meet in Ayitepa to learn about wind energy

Wind farm developers Mainstream Renewable Power and NEK Umwelttechnik organised the event close to the site of the proposed 225MW Ayitepa Wind Farm which is on track to commence construction early next year.

During the course of the event the students were given a presentation on the wind farm, an overview of wind energy and they also heard from Ghana Wildlife Society on conservation awareness. This is the second large-scale community event hosted by the wind farm developers; in February more than 300 community members attended a full day community engagement meeting to learn about the wind farm and agreed to cooperate in support of the project to bring the maximum benefits to the area.

Speaking at the Global Wind Day celebration, Francis Tsatsu Owulah, the project’s Community Liaison Officer said: “We are delighted that the local schools here in Ayitepa have attended in such high numbers to celebrate wind energy and learn about this wind farm and how it could power up to 10% of the country’s electricity demand when fully operational. We expect the wind farm to commence construction early next year and being the country’s first large-scale wind farm, we are very excited about the benefits it will bring to the local community here in Ayitepa and beyond.”

Addressing the students at the event, John Tsiker, speaking on behalf of the District Chief Executive Hon Al-Hajj Sa Rhack Nartley said: “So far the support from this community towards the project has been very tremendous. This will not only generate additional income for the Assembly but will also create job opportunities for the people of Ayitepa and its surroundings.

He concluded: “This project which is also the first of its kind in West Africa will also service as a tourist attraction when completed. This additional power supply will go a long way to alleviate the erratic power supply that we are now experiencing in our country.”