KNUST together with its implementing partners, Green Power Brains and Don-Bosco Solar, has secured a grant of total value EUR 2.16 million (GHS 37 million equivalent) from the Skills Initiative for Africa - Financial Cooperation AUDA NEPAD. The project is funded by KfW, Germany.
The grant is for the implementation of a training program on “Smart Mini-Grid Design & Integration of Green Hydrogen Production, Storage & Utilization (SM4GH2) Solutions”. The project implementation period is August 2024 to December 2025.
The project will also supply green energy to support KNUST’s Energy Transition and Net-Zero Agenda. Additionally, the project will support the development of national standards on smart renewable energy supply for green hydrogen production in Ghana.
Ing. Dr. Richard Opoku, KNUST’s Energy Consultant, a Fellow of The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre and the lead Project PI for the university was very happy that finally, the contract for the SIFA competition that started in 2023, has been secured and signed to implement the project. He indicated that the grant has a lot of benefits including building the capacity of the next generation, especially engineers and entrepreneurs, in the design and construction of green energy projects. The grant will mount a professional course at the KNUST Brew-Hammond Energy Centre and deliver three hundred (300) trainees within the 2-years of project implementaion in specialised skills-set of renewable energy and green hydrogen, considering gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). Other members of the KNUST team are Dr (Mrs) Eunice Akyereko Adjei, Dr (Mrs) Martina Francisca Baidoo, Dr Godwin Ayetor and Prof. George Yaw Obeng.
Mr Michele Velenderic, founder and CEO of lead partner Green Power Brains, Germany, is looking forward to the project because it combines cutting edge technologies such as PV, Distributed Mini-Grids and Green Hydrogen, together with GPB‘s own digitalization platform. The project aims at capacity building in these areas, bridging the gap between TVET and academics to build skills in Ghana, and to establish Ghana as a leading industry hub in Africa in the long term.
Brother Christof Baum, the director of Don Bosco Solar Training Center - Ashaiman/Ghana is happy the SIFA (Skills Initiative for Africa) project is finally signed to be implemented soon. “This marks a significant milestone in advancing renewable energy education and training in Ghana. The project will be implemented at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, focusing on Green Hydrogen and Mini Grid technology which are the key areas for future sustainable energy in Africa. As part of the implementing partners, Don Bosco Solar will play the role in supporting training of the KNUST Instructors/Lectures in these fields. Our team will provide comprehensive training in Green Hydrogen technology, Mini Grid systems and digitalization.
For more information on this program in Ghana, please contact the KNUST Project PI and a Fellow of the Brew-Hamond Energy Centre:
Ing. Dr. Richard Opoku
Email: ropoku.coe@knust.edu.gh
Tel: 0240660955)
