The site is a fully automated, digital photovoltaic solar system, which augments energy needs at the factory and boosts Ghana’s renewable energy portfolio by producing 764MWh of electricity a year.
The solar energy produced at the plant is equivalent to powering up to 400 homes with electricity for a year, claimed Cargill.
‘Reduce greenhouse gas intensity’
Pieter Reichert, md of Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate in Ghana, said: “Cargill sets ambitious targets every five years to reduce greenhouse gas intensity, improve energy efficiency and increase renewables as a part of our portfolio.
“One of those targets is to increase renewables to 18% of our global energy portfolio by 2020. Today, 14% of our energy needs are met by renewables and this solar project will help us realise our 2020 goal.”
The solar facility is part of a range of solutions Cargill has implemented at the Tema site to improve its environmental footprint.
Improve its environmental footprint
Other recent projects include the installation of LED lighting, an energy-efficient grinding facility and a biomass boiler.
Collectively, all four projects at the Tema sites have resulted in a 32% decrease in energy consumption, a 71% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and 66% renewable energy generation.
Speaking at the site’s opening, deputy minister for trade and industry, Hon Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, said: “The government is committed to increasing the nation’s renewable energy generation capacity and is hopeful that others in the Ghanaian cocoa industry will follow Cargill’s lead.”