Accra: Energy efficiency remains one of the country's most underutilised resources despite rising energy demand driven by economic growth, Acting Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Adwoa Serwaa Bondzie has said. Speaking at the Second Energy Audit Certification and Awards ceremony held at the Ghana Institution of Engineering in Accra, she stressed that as the economy expands the need for energy continues to grow, making efficient usage critical to sustainability and cost management.
According to Ghana Web, the ceremony, organised by the Energy Commission in collaboration with the Ghana Institution of Engineering, saw the certification of 30 energy audit professionals trained under the Sustainable Energy Service Centres (SESCs). The initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen human capital for Ghana's energy efficiency and sustainability agenda. Ms. Bondzie emphasised that energy audit professionals play a critical role in bridging the gap between energy consumption and conservation. According to her, their work involves identifying inefficiencies in buildings and facilities and providing practical, data-driven solutions to reduce consumption, lower costs and minimise environmental impact.
Chairperson of the occasion and former President-Ghana Institution of Engineering, Ing. Kwabena Bempong, reiterated that Ghana continues to lose significant resources due to inefficient lighting, air-conditioning systems, oversized equipment and poorly-designed energy systems in buildings and industries - stressing that energy audits can help reduce waste, cut costs and improve energy security. He also called for continuous professional development and high ethical standards, cautioning against inflating savings or overlooking non-compliance to satisfy clients, asserting that 'a greener Ghana cannot be built on false reports'.
Board Chairman-Energy Commission Professor John Gatsi advocated making energy audits mandatory for facilities as part of efforts to improve efficiency nationwide. He said energy auditors would play a key role in shaping consumption patterns by helping households and businesses make informed decisions about energy use and equipment. 'When energy professionals do their work well, consumption patterns are known and that helps users plan and control their energy budgets,' he noted, adding that efficient energy systems could also enhance creditworthiness and potentially lower financing costs for businesses undertaking upgrades.