Ghana's renewable energy sector received a significant boost with the inauguration of a 16.82-MW rooftop photovoltaic solar plant in Tema, marking the largest single rooftop solar installation in Africa, reports Asaase News. 

The $17mn project, owned by LMI Holding Company Limited, is expected to distribute solar power to clients within the Tema Free Zone Enclave (TFZE) industrial zone.

Also known as the Mega Warehouse Rooftop Solar PV Project, this initiative spans 95,745 km2 (equivalent to 20 football fields) and is projected to generate 24.7 GWh of clean energy annually.

The project was financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy within Ghana's industrial landscape.

During the commissioning ceremony, Minister of State for Energy Herbert Krapah praised LMI Holding for their accomplishment and for situating the project within the TFZE. He highlighted that the project aligns with the government’s energy objectives, enhancing energy security for industrial clients and providing access to clean, reliable, and cost-efficient power, writes Asaase News.

Krapah also acknowledged the IFC's funding and urged the corporation to support other private companies in the solar energy sector. 

LMI Holdings' managing director, Adiai Opoku-Boamah, noted that the project was completed entirely by Ghanaian engineers and technicians, showcasing local expertise. 

He stated that businesses within the Free Zones Enclave would benefit from the power generated, enhancing their green credentials and global competitiveness.

Opoku-Boamah announced that LMI Holdings aims to generate up to 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2030. The company has secured a 2,300-acre land bank at Dawa near Ada in the Greater Accra Region for a future solar park. Over the next six years, LMI Holdings plans to invest over $1bn into expanding its renewable energy programme.