Ghanaian clean energy companies Kofa Technologies Ltd. and impact investor PASH Global are expanding Kofa’s battery-swapping network. This initiative aims to improve energy access with clean, portable battery solutions.
It has a £2.35 million investment from the Shell Foundation and is partly backed by the UK Government through its Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform.
To help Kofa pay for its e-bike assets, study battery technology, and running costs, an extra £1.4 million has been raised. This project aims to get rid of motorbikes that run on gasoline and replace them with electric bikes. This will make cities much cleaner and quieter.
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UK’s commitment to clean Energy in Ghana
The UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, announced the growth public on September 17. Collins said the project shows that the UK is committed to backing clean energy projects, boosting economic growth, and strengthening partnerships between the UK and Ghana.
Although Kofa will manage the battery-swapping network, PASH Global will deploy and maintain swap stations. The network will ensure that everyone in Ghana can access clean energy and encourage using electric cars (EVs). Its goal is to have 6,000 batteries and 100 swapping stations. PASH also wants to use solar power to power these stations in the future, making the idea even more environmentally friendly.
Benefits for Ghana’s Energy and Transportation Sector
The battery-swapping network will significantly impact Ghana’s energy and transportation sectors. The country faces increasing urbanization and growing energy demand. Shifting to electric vehicles powered by clean energy sources can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
According to preliminary data, the cost of operating an electric motorbike in Ghana is already 20% less than that of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. As battery prices go down, more people will buy electric vehicles (EVs) because they will cost less.
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According to PASH Global CEO Kofi Owusu Bempah, the relationship with Kofa is crucial to Africa’s renewable energy revolution. The Shell Foundation and the UK Government are backing the project, which paves the way for eco-friendly and dependable energy options all over Europe.
Eric Nygard, CEO of Kofa, thinks this project is essential to providing Ghana’s cities with clean energy. It will help local companies and communities by reducing their use of petrol generators and will also serve as an example of clean energy innovation in Africa.
CEO Jonathan Berman emphasised the Shell Foundation’s goal of boosting employment and reducing greenhouse gases through sustainable energy. He stressed the importance of partnerships like the one between Kofa and PASH in spreading clean energy and electric mobility options across Africa.