GNPC Advances Upstream Renewable Integration with Solar Data Repository Research at 2025 Africa Technology Conference
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) highlighted its strategic commitment to energy transition and sustainable operational practices through its significant contribution to the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) 2025 Africa Technology Conference, held from May 25th – 28th. The conference convened key stakeholders from across the energy value chain to address Africa's dynamic energy requirements and the technological advancements shaping its future.
Dr. Alfred Dawson Quansah, GNPC's Deputy Manager for Research and Data, delivered a technical paper entitled “Construction of Direct Solar Radiation Repository for Concentrated Solar Power Electricity Production in Ghana, West Africa.” The presentation underscored the fundamental importance of robust, data-driven solar resource assessment as a critical precursor to the successful integration of hybrid renewable energy solutions within upstream petroleum operations.
Dr. Quansah detailed the methodology behind the development of a national Direct Solar Radiation (DSR) repository. This was constructed using historical sunshine duration records spanning from 2001 to 2019 and employed the Angstrom-Prescott model to synthesize Global Solar Radiation (GSR) data. This innovative approach addresses the current data gap resulting from the limited distribution of radiometric stations in Ghana. The research also presented an analysis of the viability of deploying Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems as a complementary energy source to enhance the sustainability of Ghana’s upstream activities.
The technical session elicited strong engagement, evidenced by numerous inquiries during the Q&A segment focusing on the technical aspects of solar data modelling, CSP system design considerations, and the challenges of integration. Dr. Quansah’s responses emphasized the increasing strategic relevance of applied research in shaping GNPC’s clean energy agenda and informing pivotal decisions regarding hybrid energy applications.
Mr. Prince Atubrah, a co-researcher and technical collaborator on the project, also represented GNPC. Their joint participation reinforced GNPC’s standing as a forward-thinking national oil company actively pursuing the adoption of innovative and sustainable energy solutions within the petroleum industry.
GNPC's prominent participation in the Africa Technology Conference reflects the Corporation’s strategic directive to achieve a synergistic balance between operational excellence in its core petroleum activities and proactive integration of renewable energy sources. This engagement further solidifies GNPC’s role as an influential voice in the energy transition discourse, contributing to critical conversations on how African energy producers can leverage technological innovation to secure a cleaner and more resilient energy future.