University of Ghana, Legon, is preparing to wean itself off the national grid by building a 600kW wind turbine to supply it with electricity.
This was announced by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Ebenezer Oduro-Owusu, at the school’s 2017 November, 2017 congregation last Saturday.
He said the turbine, which will be sited at the Legon campus, will be a pilot demonstration of the school.
While indicating that the university was being challenged by double billing by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), he said, “the Independent Power Supply Team is also helping the university to address the issue of double billing by ECG to reduce the energy bill at the university.
“The University is also collaborating with the Bui Power Authority with the view to installing a 600kW capacity pilot demonstration wind turbine at Legon Campus.”
The move comes at a time when the government has proposed a reduction in the cost of electricity in response to complaints from consumers over high cost.
The ECG has also recently intensified efforts to reduce its losses by clamping down on persons tapping power illegally as well as institutions indebted to it.
Prof Oduro-Owusu in his address noted that the university has engaged some investors who have expressed interest in investing in the school’s commercial activities operated by the Agricultural Research Centres.
“Several investors have approached the university to invest in commercial activities operated by the University’s Agricultural Research Centres. It is our hope that the Centres will venture into full-blown commercial activities very soon,” he said.
The vice-chancellor also announced that the university has received financial clearance from the government to recruit some 430 new staff to replace those who have left active service.
According to him, the embargo on public sector employment had a severe impact on the University, which subsequently did not enhance teaching and learning.
“In July, I informed the congregation that the continued lack of financial clearance for recruitment means that the University is severely constrained in the employment of faculty, administrators and other staff. The situation has changed towards a positive direction. The government has now granted financial clearance for us to replace 430 staff who have left the services of the University,” he said.
<<Print>>