The potential socio-economic and environmental impacts of solar PV mini-grid deployment on local communities: a case study of rural island communities on the Volta Lake, Ghana

Abstract

Solar PV mini-grid electrification application has been introduced in Ghana to provide electricity for some rural areas that are located disproportionately beyond the reach of the national grid. Through the Renewable Energy Act (832) enacted in 2011, the government of Ghana has developed policy plan to vigorously increase the share of renewable energy sources in the generation mix to 10% by the year 2020. In accordance with the policy, the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project (GEDAP) under the Ministry of Energy (MoE) have undertaken the goal to deploy solar PV mini-grid systems to supply electricity to the rural island communities on the Volta Lake. By virtue of their locations, the island communities have existed for many years without access to electricity. This is because reaching these communities through the conventional grid appears highly impractical. Qualitative research, case study method was used to examine the potential socio-economic and environmental impacts of the solar PV mini-grid project on the local communities, specifically Pediatorkope and Atigagorme. Three research questions were answered using qualitative content analsysis approach. Generally, the findings show that the solar PV mini-grid electricity is an ideal energy alternative for the island communities on the Volta Lake in Ghana. However, there are variations regarding the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the project on the communities. In terms of economic impact, given the energy level or capacity provided, the electricity fulfills the provision of light to boost and extend hours of petty trading and selling activities at night in the communities. The capacity does not support higher applications such as refrigerators, which could help improve the economic conditions of the fishing communities. Government intervention in the form of subsidies will be necessary to sustain the electricity services so as to extend its impact on the communities. Ultimately, the solar PV mini-grid electricity is likely to yield much social impact on the communities than any of the dimensions revealed in the study. Finally, positive environmental impact of the project on the communities will be achieved when majority of the inhabitants are eventually connected to the solar PV mini-grid electricity. There is a challenge concerning recycle and disposal of systems components such as batteries and PV cells after end-of-life. The study concludes that electricity supply in rural areas should bring more than just light to initiate improvement in the quality of life of rural dwellers.