The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has announced a major transition to solar-powered street lighting as part of efforts to ease pressure on the national grid and improve energy efficiency. Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 16, Mr. Jinapor revealed that the government has begun installing 23,500 all-in-one solar streetlights across the country, covering a total stretch of 700 kilometers.
“As part of our streetlighting project, I’m happy to announce that we’ve commenced the installation of all-in-one solar streetlights. We intend to do 23,500 Units covering a distance of 700km, so that gradually we can take solar as the main focus and move our streetlights away from the grid,” the Minister stated.
He explained that streetlights typically rely on the national grid, which significantly contributes to peak energy demand and increases pressure on power generation during critical hours. “Streetlights largely depend on the grid, and unfortunately, they turn on during peak periods.
The difference between peak and off-peak periods can range from 400 to 600 megawatts. These streetlights alone account for more than 200 megawatts,” he noted. Mr. Jinapor stated that shifting to solar-powered streetlights could “reduce the demand on the grid by about 200 to 300 megawatts,” a move he described as a significant contribution to improving energy sector efficiency.
The solar streetlight initiative is part of the Mahama administration’s broader strategy to adopt renewable energy solutions and decrease the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and grid-based consumption, especially during high-demand periods.
By: Jonathan Adjei
