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EARTH OBSERVATION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PLANNING: A CASE FOR SMALL HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA
By Dr. Martin Kyereh Domfeh, Researcher, UENR – Ghana
As countries race toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems, geospatial data is proving to be an indispensable tool in renewable energy planning. From satellite imagery to digital elevation models and hydrological simulations, earth observation (EO) technologies are enabling smarter, data-driven decisions for the siting, design, and implementation of clean energy infrastructure. A recently published study titled “Potential for small hydropower development in the Tano River Basin of Ghana using SWAT and RETScreen” [Elsevier, Energy for Sustainable Development] presents an impressive use case of EO technologies to assess and promote small hydropower (SHP) development in Ghana.
Tools Used: SWAT + RETScreen + QGIS
1. QGIS
QGIS served as the primary GIS interface for spatial data analysis. It was used to process DEMs, delineate stream networks, generate contour maps, and extract watershed characteristics necessary for hydrological modeling.
2. SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool)
QSWAT, the SWAT extension in the QGIS interface, was used to simulate hydrological processes across the Tano River Basin, including streamflow, evapotranspiration, and watershed hydrodynamics. Based on flow rates and elevation gradients, it helped identify viable run-of-river (RoR) hydropower sites.
3. RETScreen Expert
The team employed RETScreen for detailed techno-economic and emissions analysis, determining Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and emissions savings for each site. RETScreen’s built-in hydropower project model allowed for cost comparison based on Canadian benchmarks, adapted for Ghanaian conditions.
Insights from the Study
– 24 Candidate SHP Sites Identified
With firm energy potential ranging between 4.6 and 46.4 GWh annually. Sites HP9, HP11, and HP14 stood out, with NPVs exceeding $175 million.
– Emissions Impact
On average, SHP development at promising sites would avoid ~66,382 tons of CO₂ emissions annually — equivalent to over 140,000 barrels of oil not consumed.
– Techno-Economic Viability
The RETScreen model showed that SHP projects in the basin are feasible and financially attractive, with positive NPVs, high IRRs, and short payback periods.
Why This Matters
This research is a strong example of how geospatial and EO tools can bridge the gap between environmental data and energy investment decisions. With over 17 medium and 22 mini/micro hydropower sites still untapped in Ghana, this study demonstrates the importance of integrating modeling tools and EO datasets to unlock renewable energy potential across Africa.
Tools like SWAT and RETScreen aren’t just academic—they’re practical decision-support systems that can de-risk investments, accelerate energy access, and guide climate-smart planning.
Final Thoughts
Earth observation technologies aren’t just about looking at the Earth — they are about understanding it and, more importantly, empowering action. As Ghana and other nations push to meet their renewable energy targets under frameworks like SDG7 and the Paris Agreement, tools like SWAT, RETScreen, and QGIS will play a critical role.
Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of data-driven energy planning.
Read the full research article here
#EarthObservation #RenewableEnergy #Hydropower #Geospatial #Sustainability #ClimateAction #GIS #RETScreen #SWAT #CleanEnergy #Ghana #ResearchToImpact #EnergyTransition