The Energy Commission (EC) has launched the seventh edition of its Renewable Energy Challenge for Senior High Schools to encourage students to develop practical renewable energy solutions to address national development challenges and support Ghana’s 24-hour economy agenda.

Dubbed the ‘Champions of Champions,’ this year’s competition brings together 17 schools that emerged as top performers from previous editions to compete for the ultimate prize.

The competition would be held in two phases, beginning with zonal contests in the northern and southern sectors in August, from which the top three schools in each zone would advance to the national championship in Accra in October this year.

Launching the competition in Accra on the theme: ‘Harnessing Renewable Energy to Power Ghana’s 24-Hour Green Economy,’ the Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, said although Ghana had achieved nearly 90 per cent electricity access nationwide, many remote communities still lacked reliable power due to the high cost of extending the national grid.

According to him, renewable energy technologies, including solar systems, mini-grids, off-grid solutions and biomass technologies, presented practical opportunities to bridge the gap while promoting economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Mr Gyan-Mensah said young people possessed the potential to develop innovative solutions to current energy challenges and urged them to move beyond theoretical knowledge by designing projects that were technically sound, financially practical and socially impactful.

“We want you to think as engineers, entrepreneurs and policymakers. Let your projects speak for the farmer, the fisherman, the trader, the manufacturer and the nurse working in rural communities,” he stated.

“Your task is not merely an academic exercise. We are looking for solutions that can shape policy, empower communities and transform lives,” he added.

The Deputy Minister commended the EC for transforming the initiative from a small competition into a nationally recognised platform that nurtured innovation and encouraged its practical application to solve some of the country’s developmental challenges.

He expressed confidence that the ideas developed by participants could become transformative solutions to Ghana’s future energy needs.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister for Education, the Director of STEM, Mrs Olivia Serwaa Opare, described the competition as timely, saying it would not only inspire creativity but also provide practical solutions to real-life energy challenges.

Commending the EC and its partners for investing in youth development and innovation through the initiative, Mrs Opare reaffirmed the education sector’s commitment to quality STEM education and practical learning opportunities that equip learners with the competencies required for the 21st century.

The Deputy Executive Secretary of the EC, Chris Nanabanyin Yalley, said this year’s theme reflected the Commission’s resolve to contribute to Ghana’s efforts to build a resilient and inclusive 24-hour economy powered by sustainable energy solutions.

“Participants are being challenged to think beyond prototypes and consider how their innovations can be implemented, sustained and scaled within communities in line with the 24-hour economy agenda,” he said.