Kombosigo: Northlite Solar Limited has intensified calls for the adoption of green energy solutions in northern Ghana, urging businesses, institutions, and households to transition to solar power to address persistent electricity challenges and climate-related energy risks. Speaking at a stakeholders' cocktail engagement at Kombosigo in the Bolgatanga East District, Mr. Frank Akasoba Adabre, the Chief Executive Officer of Northlite Solar Limited, emphasized the urgent need to embrace renewable energy as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and unreliable hydro-grid supply.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Adabre highlighted the disruptions in global coal, oil, and gas supply chains due to geopolitical tensions, compounded by changing weather patterns and declining water levels in hydroelectric dams, which threaten electricity generation in Sub-Saharan Africa. He stressed that solar energy is no longer optional but a necessity, citing its advantages in long-term cost savings, environmental protection, and energy independence for various sectors.
Northlite's Bolgatanga office serves as a testament to solar power's viability, operating as a fully solar-powered 'green space' with all seven air conditioners and water systems powered by solar energy. The company, which also has offices in Accra and Silver Spring, Maryland, executed projects worth approximately 3.2 million US dollars in 2025 and aims for 8.5 million US dollars in investments in 2026, targeting an installed capacity of 3.5 megawatts in commercial and industrial projects.
Mr. Adabre revealed the development of Ghana's largest microgrid solar system (413 kilowatts) at Akayet Hotel in Bolgatanga, a project worth about 1.3 million US dollars. This initiative has attracted interest from financial institutions such as Eco Bank and Stanbic Bank for potential scale-up financing.
Large-scale adoption of solar power is expected to alleviate pressure on the national grid, reduce operational costs for businesses, and contribute significantly to Ghana's climate change mitigation efforts. Beyond commercial projects, the social impact of renewable energy is evident in healthcare and rural communities. Mr. Adabre recounted installing a solar system in a rural CHPS compound in the Upper West Region, emphasizing the importance of reliable power in health facilities for saving lives.
Northlite is also promoting solar-powered water pumping systems for rural farmers and off-grid electrification for underserved communities, particularly in northern Ghana. Mr. Adabre encouraged financial institutions and development partners to support green investments to accelerate Ghana's transition to clean energy.
Participants at the event welcomed the advocacy, viewing renewable energy adoption as a strategic step towards sustainable development, economic resilience, and environmental protection. Professor David Millar, President of the Millar Open University, who has installed a solar system from Northlite Solar Limited at his university and home, urged tertiary institutions to shift towards solar to ensure stable power supply and reduce electricity costs.