- Ghana Aims for 100 per cent Universal Energy Access and Potential Electricity Export to Nigeria
- Nigeria Faces Second National Electricity Grid Collapse Amid Ghana’s Power Sector Growth Plans.
Ghana is actively working on plans and policies to develop its power sector to achieve 100 per cent universal energy access and potentially export electricity to its neighbour, Nigeria. Mr. Hanson Monney, the Head of the Generation and Transmission Unit at Ghana’s Ministry of Energy, discussed these efforts during the Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit. Ghana has made significant progress in energy access, achieving approximately 80 to 85per cent universal energy access. This contrasts Nigeria, which recently experienced its second national electricity grid collapse, leaving a substantial part of its 200 million population with limited access to power.
Ghana is taking a multifaceted approach to improve its power sector. This includes exploring various energy sources such as grids, mini-grids, and renewable energy, especially solar, to achieve universal access by 2024. The government is also considering the possibility of exporting electricity to Nigeria once its power grid stabilises. Expanding energy access in Ghana presents challenges, particularly in remote areas like islands, riverside, and lakeside communities. To address this, Ghana is focusing on scaling up its renewable energy program in 2022.
The power sector in Ghana faces financial sustainability issues due to legacy debts and excess capacity procurement, which requires policy actions to address. High electricity tariffs are another concern, with industries subsidising residential users. Ghana is working on tariff rationalisation to ensure fairness and affordability, particularly for businesses. Gas supply security is crucial for Ghana’s power sector, with Nigeria providing support. However, Ghana aims to enhance fuel supply security as it grows.
Despite these challenges, Ghana’s government is committed to addressing them and further developing its electricity sector. They are adopting a holistic approach to policy formulation and planning, involving regulators, the private sector, and other stakeholders, including the Integrated Power Sector Master Plan, to ensure a reliable power supply.