Launched in May 2025, the GCIEP Academy is a PwC Ghana social value initiative to help foster the country’s next generation of green infrastructure professionals. Over the six-week initiative, four of Ghana's most promising students are supporting the diverse and valuable work of GCIEP Ghana, from climate finance to energy solutions to resilient cities.
On Wednesday 4 June, these four interns visited the Bridge Power Plant in Tema, a short distance east of the capital, Accra, to gain a first-hand insight into Ghana’s energy infrastructure. Operating since 2021, the gas-fired plant uses innovative technology to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency.
‘As a budding engineer and STEM advocate, I found this experience deeply enriching and aligned with my passion for sustainable energy solutions and technological innovation in Africa,’ said Linda Essilfie, a Biomedical Engineering student and one of the GCIEP Academy interns. ‘The Bridge Power Project shows how public–private partnerships, cutting-edge technology and strategic planning can significantly enhance energy security and economic development.’
‘The field trip brought textbook theory to life,’ added Nana Asamoah, a student in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a fellow intern. ‘I left with a deeper respect for the technicians and engineers who maintain these systems day and night to keep the lights on in Ghana.’
‘A memorable moment was learning about Bridge Power’s combined-cycle design, which allows the plant to recover exhaust heat from gas turbines and use it to power steam turbines,’ reported Computer Science student Janet Chimzyterem. ‘This increases overall efficiency from about 37% to nearly 55%. Our guide also walked us through the fuel conversion process, explaining how steam is condensed and recycled in a closed-loop system, which is a more sustainable and economical choice compared to open systems.’
The visit was part of GCIEP Ghana’s broader work on energy, which has seen the interns research the complexities, challenges and opportunities of the country’s energy distribution system.
‘Being part of the GCIEP Energy Intervention has been a truly eye-opening experience,’ said Mighty Ametsikor, a Biomedical Engineering student. ‘It gave me the chance to explore Ghana’s energy systems beyond the classroom and understand the real challenges and opportunities in the sector. As someone who passionate about healthcare innovation, I’ve come to appreciate how reliable energy access is essential for powering hospitals, diagnostic equipment and biomedical technologies, especially in underserved areas.’
Janet similarly emphasised the practical findings of her time as part of GCIEP Ghana’s Energy Intervention. ‘After the first-hand insight into Ghana’s energy infrastructure and how industrial-scale power is generated and managed, it really hit me: the tech skills I have can actually help solve real-world problems in energy.’ A similar sentiment was expressed by Nana: ‘It’s not just about transformers, megawatts and fuel types. It’s about livelihoods and about the infrastructure holding together an entire nation’s potential.’
The trip was an eye-opening experience giving students from diverse backgrounds real-life experience of how electricity is generated, the role of independent power producers in Ghana’s energy sector and the country’s journey towards renewable energy. Watch this space for more news on the interns' journey at the GCIEP Academy.
The UK’s Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme is tackling climate change and extreme poverty by accelerating the delivery of sustainable green cities and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Published
16/06/25