ASEC BLOG

Leading energy think tank, the African Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) has received four nominations in this year's Ghana Energy Awards. These nominations cut across categories including the Innovation Project of the Year, Energy Think Tank of the Year, Outstanding Local Content Initiative of the Year and Clean Energy Initiative of the Year in the 8th Ghana Energy Awards. The Innovation Project of the Year category seeks to celebrate organisations within the energy sector that demonstrate innovative thinking through creative ideas, technology, products, programmes or solutions to address challenges and enhance efficiency. ASEC is nominated along with other institutions like D. McHall Project Consulting, Helios Solar, Empower Playgrounds, Meinergy Technology, GYE NYAME Card Global, Energy Commission, GCB Bank PLC, Webber Energy, AGI Energy Service Centre.  Organised by the Energy Media Group (EMG) and endorsed by the Ministry of Energy and World Energy Council, this awards sch...

  A leading energy think tank, the Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) is pushing back against the recent proposal to merge the assets of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Bui Power Authority (BPA).   In their view, this move is unnecessary as it could spell disaster for the nation’s energy sector should the government proceed. In a press release, ASEC stated, "The merger of VRA and BPA and the separation of the VRA’s thermal power will usher in the collapse of Ghana's energy security. For years, VRA has managed a robust energy portfolio that includes solar, thermal, and hydropower, and dismantling this carefully balanced structure would jeopardise the country’s power stability.” The think tank’s response comes a few days after aggrieved staff groups of the VRA expressed strong opposition to a proposed draft bill that seeks to merge VRA with BPA, combine the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and establish an independent thermal Power Authority from...

The Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC), is advocating for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to privatise part of its operations. This move, we believe, will enable the nation’s power provider to focus on its core technical duties such as maintaining and upgrading infrastructure while handing over administrative and commercial aspects to investors.  This comes amid growing concerns about the recent irregular power supply across the country. As a result, the average Ghanaian has had to endure spates of unstable electricity leaving them in search of alternative sources of power that are relatively expensive. Historically, ECG has been plagued with numerous operational and financial challenges, outdated infrastructure, inefficient technology, and rampant electricity theft that have all contributed to frequent power outages, colloquially known as ‘dumsor.’  The company’s massive debts, partly due to unpaid bills from residential, commercial, and governmental bodies, furth...

Introduction Unprecedented changes have been observed in global climate patterns. Time and time again the world has been warned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the approaching climate disaster that will befall us if civilisation does not immediately change course. To aggravate the situation, the global community faces interlinked energy, food, and financial crises compounded by the COVID pandemic. These challenges impact marginalised and vulnerable groups, with many developing countries being particularly at risk. The importance of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, cannot be over-emphasized during such trying times. Research has shown that achieving SDG 7 is an essential step toward the achievement of other Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to gender equality, poverty reduction, health, job creation, climate, and the environment. Gender dime...

Founder of the Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC), Ing. Justice Ohene-Akoto has called for experts and innovators in Africa’s energy sector to work together to solve the energy problems faced by the continent. Speaking during a high-level discussion, he called on stakeholders to invest in the energy sector as an increase in the availability and production of power will mean a boost in GDP. Recognizing that industrialization is key, he underscored the critical role of a robust energy sector as its backbone. Without reliable electricity, the GDP suffers, impacting every facet of our economy referring to some of his academic publications on the value of lost load, in other words, the economic value of power outages. According to Ing. Ohene-Akoto, Ghana lost about 6% of her GPD as a result of power outages in the year 2016.  “This is a country whose energy access is about 87% which is impressive compared to most African countries. Over 600 million out of the about 1.4 billion ...

 Founder of the Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) , Ing. Justice Ohene-Akoto is set to speak at the 26 th World Energy Congress . The event which is set to come off in Rotterdam, Netherlands will span across 22 nd to 25 th of April 2024 where each day is dedicated to a series of sessions focused on key areas that bridge sectors, geographies, generations and systems to make faster, fairer, and more far-reaching energy transitions happen. Within the period, Ing. Ohene-Akoto who is also a board member, FEL at the World Energy Council will be part of a panel discussion on the topic, "Energy for 2 billion people: Want more, waste no?". He will be joined by some stakeholders in the African energy sector including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Nigeria, H E. Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga, Minister of Hydrocarbons, DRC, H.E. Dr. Eng. Sultan Welle, Energy Development State Minister, Ethiopia, Sharon Yeti, Co-Founder & CEO, Powe...