ENERGY COMMISSION SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS RENEWABLE ENERGY CHALLENGE

Under the Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832), the Energy Commission is mandated to promote the utilisation and development of renewable energy as well as recommend and advise relevant stakeholders on the educational curriculum on the efficient use of renewable energy sources and evolve programmes for its mainstreaming on the educational curriculum in Ghana.

The Energy Commission of Ghana collaborated with the Ghana Education Service to initiate the Energy Commission Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge (Schools Challenge) in 2019. This initiative aims to foster interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency among students in second cycle institutions. The joint effort between the Energy Commission and the Ghana Education Service aims at educating and raising awareness on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Senior High Schools and Technical Institutions across the country.

The Schools Challenge encourages creative thinking, offers mentorship opportunities, and aims to inspire and guide students in exploring renewable energy concepts. It also provides a platform for Senior High School students to showcase their inovative renewable energy projects that are developed using materials that are locally available in their environment.

 OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Challenge are to:
• Develop the research skills of Senior High School students and promote technological innovation in renewable energy and energy efficiency;
• Instill in students a passion for solving renewable energy, clean energy, energy efficiency and climate change challenges through innovative research;
• Develop presentation skills of Senior High School students; and
• Promote self-confidence and encourage hard work through public recognition and rewards.

Since its inception in 2019, the Schools Challenge has grown from a pilot programme involving 29 schools in the Greater Accra region to a national initiative that attracts educational institutions from all regions of Ghana. The significant growth and participation in the previous year's Challenge, with 119 schools from all 16 regions, demonstrate the programme's success and potential. The Schools Challenge has the opportunity to continue making a positive impact on students, schools, and the education sector by shaping the future of Ghana's youth.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CSIR
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the Schools Challenge, the Energy Commission has partnered with the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership, provides financial benefits to students, teachers, and schools for their projects. The Energy Commission and CSIR are dedicated to nurturing innovation and driving the projects towards real-world implementation. For this reason, last year's winning project, a solar dehydrator developed by Kpedze Senior High School, is being refined and enhanced by the CSIR. The aim is to commercialize and promote its use in processing agricultural produce, and the final product is expected to be showcased during the upcoming finals on October 17, 2023.

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