Ghana could save 40,000 tonnes in annual CO2 emissions while earning $38 billion in electricity exports were it to build a 100 megawatt solar energy plant, finds a new report prepared by UNEP’s Economics and Trade branch (ETB) in Geneva.

Construction of the plant would also create 3,000 jobs and support the livelihoods of 23,000 of the country’s poorest people, states the report, prepared by ETB’s Green Economy and Trade Unit.

As part of its plan to become an ‘Energy Economy,’ Ghana aims to double its power generation capacity by 2020 and ensure that renewables make up 10% of its energy mix by the same date with support from UNEP.

The report was produced in partnership with Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Energy Centre and the Government of Ghana. It is sponsored by the European Commission.

To read the report please click here or for more details write to chiara.moroni@unep.org