Assessing Ghana’s renewable energy potential and path to clean electricity based on the levelized cost of electricity from solar and wind

Renewable energy has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential to address the growing global energy demand while mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. In Ghana, a country with sizeable renewable energy resources, harnessing these sources is crucial for sustainable...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry 2024-08, Vol.149 (16), p.8885-8897
Hauptverfasser: Osei-Mensah, Emmanuel, Bamisile, Olusola, Nyantakyi, Isaac Osei, Yeboah, Emmanuel, Raj, Ritu, Stafford, Iai N.
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Renewable energy has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential to address the growing global energy demand while mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. In Ghana, a country with sizeable renewable energy resources, harnessing these sources is crucial for sustainable development. This study examines Ghana’s renewable energy potential, focusing on solar and wind energy resources. Using the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) calculated based on the high-resolution NASA MERRA-2 climate data, this study presents findings on Ghana’s renewable energy potential and how energy investment policies are impacted. Solar photovoltaic capacity potential and related costs show that it is the most cost-effective option compared to onshore and offshore wind, due to lower wind speeds. The offshore wind power LCOE ranges from 204.65 to 672.32 $ MWh −1 , while solar PV has a narrower range of LCOE values (58.75 to 65.82 $ MWh −1 ). Additionally, the study considers the potential of the renewable energy mix in Ghana's energy generation, emphasizing the importance of diversifying energy sources for a resilient and sustainable future.
ISSN:1388-6150
1588-2926
DOI:10.1007/s10973-024-13155-y