First Nearly Zero Energy building commissioned in Ghana

Mrs Alhassan with other dignitaries commissioning the building

The Energy Commission (EC) in partnership with Germany International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) has commissioned a nearly zero energy building in Accra.

Being the first of its kind in the country, the building will consume only as much energy it generates, meaning it will produce its own energy for consumption and very little from the national grid. 

Commissioning the building on Friday, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Energy, Mr Herbert Krappa, whose speech was delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs Lydia Seyram Alhassan, said the facility represented a remarkable achievement and a critical step forward in the nation’s journey toward sustainable renewable energy solutions.

“This building stands as a beacon of progress, a powerful testament to what is possible when we turn our shared vision into reality and it is a symbol of commitment, innovation, and the boundless potential of working together toward a common goal,” he said. 

Furthermore, Mr Krappa said the building embodies national commitment to addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions.  

The building, he said would serve as an Energy Academy and a dynamic hub of knowledge.

The Minister encouraged the EC to go beyond the theoretical foundations taught in traditional academic settings and seize the opportunity to explore innovative technologies, engage in pioneering research, and develop solutions that would define the future of energy for the country and beyond. 

The Executive Secretary of EC, Mr Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, said with the Nearly Zero Energy Building, the commission aims to reduce the country’s carbon footprint, use renewable resources efficiently, and serve as a beacon of what could be achieved through foresight, planning, and commitment.

Being fairly cheap, he said the building stood as a testament to the potential of sustainable energy practices to transform the way they design, construct, and operate spaces.

The Cluster Coordinator at GIZ, Mr Tangmar Marmor, said the building has to inspire a drastic change in the building sector in the country to adapt to the low consumption building materials and buildings. 

BY CECILIA LAGBA YADA