In a significant step towards advancing sustainable energy in the Yendi region, the Bui Power Authority (BPA) has begun disbursing compensation to landowners affected by the Yendi Solar Power project. The initial phase of payments is targeting 34 individuals, including landowners, farmers, and tree owners, whose properties fall within the project’s designated area. This initiative underscores the BPA’s commitment to responsible development and equitable treatment of communities impacted by renewable energy projects, particularly the Yendi Solar Power project. The announcement details the compensation process, payment timelines, and the overall impact on regional development.

The BPA’s plan addresses several key aspects, starting with identifying those eligible for compensation. This includes landowners whose properties are directly within the project’s right of way, farmers who cultivate crops on the affected land, and tree owners who rely on economic trees within the area. This comprehensive approach ensures that all stakeholders who incur losses due to the Yendi Solar Power project receive appropriate consideration.

The total compensation package amounts to approximately GH₵ 1,518,158.15, with individual payments varying based on the assessed value of the affected property. The range of compensation spans from GH₵6,000 to GH₵481,000, reflecting the diversity of land use and property types within the project area. The Yendi Solar Power project promises to bring clean energy to the region, and this compensation marks a crucial milestone.

To ensure a fair and transparent compensation process, the BPA engaged an evaluator to assess crops, economic trees, and properties within the project’s right of way. Wumbila Salifu, Director of Natural Resources at BPA, explained, “An evaluator was hired to assess crops, economic trees, and properties within the project’s right of way.” This evaluation served as the foundation for determining the appropriate compensation amounts for each affected individual.

The BPA is implementing a phased payment approach to manage the compensation process efficiently. The first phase focused on compensating for crops and economic trees, which has already been completed. The second phase is now underway, addressing buildings, plots, and properties within the right of way. “Crops and economic trees have been duly paid for, and the second phase is to pay people who have building plots, houses and properties within the right of way, and that will be done in due course,” Salifu stated, emphasizing the BPA’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations.

The evaluator’s assessment plays a crucial role in determining individual compensation amounts, with variations based on the nature of the property. “So clearly, someone with a building would get more money than someone with a bare land and was yet to start any form of construction,” Salifu clarified. This approach ensures that those with more developed properties receive compensation that reflects the extent of their investment and potential losses from the Yendi Solar Project.

While the compensation process is underway, the BPA acknowledges that concerns may arise within the affected communities. To address these issues, the BPA plans to engage with local chiefs and community leaders to facilitate open communication and reach mutually agreeable solutions. This commitment to community engagement underscores the BPA’s dedication to ensuring the Yendi Solar Power project benefits the region as a whole.

Edward Okantah, Head of Works at the Yendi Municipal Assembly, urged residents to cooperate with the BPA and emphasized the importance of protecting the solar facility. Now that compensation has been paid, Okantah called on residents to respect the facility’s boundaries and ensure its longevity, highlighting the long-term benefits the Yendi Solar Power project will bring to the community.

Beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude for the compensation and appreciation for the BPA’s efforts. This positive response reflects the importance of fair and equitable compensation in fostering community support for renewable energy projects.

The commencement of landowner compensation for the Yendi Solar Project represents a critical step in the region’s journey toward sustainable energy development. The Bui Power Authority’s commitment to addressing community concerns, coupled with the beneficiaries’ appreciation, sets a positive tone for the project’s future. As Edward Okantah stressed, cooperation is essential to ensuring that the Yendi Solar Power project provides enduring benefits to the community and beyond. This initiative underscores the vital role of responsible development and equitable compensation in advancing renewable energy projects nationwide.