Ghana's electricity consumption in 2023 is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with over sixty percent coming from fossil sources, and gas alone accounting for nearly sixty percent of electricity generation. However, low-carbon energy sources, which include hydropower, contribute to approximately forty percent of the electricity mix. Specifically, hydropower accounts for nearly all low-carbon electricity production with about thirty-eight percent of the total electricity portfolio. This composition indicates a significant opportunity to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by expanding low-carbon energy sources like solar and nuclear, providing a cleaner, more sustainable energy foundation for the country.
Is Electricity Growing in Ghana?
Electricity consumption in Ghana has shown modest growth, as evident from an increase from 700 kWh per person in 2022 to 719 kWh per person in 2023. This rise of 18 kWh per person signifies progress but is tempered by a concerning trend in low-carbon electricity generation. Despite the overall increase in electricity usage, low-carbon electricity at 277 kWh per person has faced a significant decline from its previous peak of 444 kWh per person in 1980, representing a drop of 167 kWh per person. This decline underscores the urgent need for policy shifts and investments aimed at enhancing the share of low-carbon energy in the national grid to keep pace with growing electricity demands while minimizing environmental impact.
Suggestions
Ghana can look to other regions for inspiration in scaling up its low-carbon electricity generation. Countries like Denmark and states like Iowa and South Dakota have achieved impressive shares of wind-generated electricity, at more than fifty percent, showcasing the potential of wind energy in regions with conducive conditions. Although solar energy is less prevalent in the examples given, countries like Greece and Chile, both of which generate over twenty percent of their electricity from solar, could serve as valuable benchmarks for solar technology adoption. Meanwhile, regions like France and Slovakia lead in nuclear energy, with nuclear accounting for over sixty percent of their electricity needs, highlighting the reliability and efficacy of nuclear as a cornerstone of low-carbon electricity generation. Emulating these regions by investing in solar and nuclear can help Ghana transition to a greener electric future.
History
Historically, Ghana has experienced fluctuating patterns in low-carbon electricity generation, particularly with hydropower. In the early 1980s, hydropower oscillated with declines in 1983 and 1984, followed by gradual increases in the mid-1980s. The 1990s and early 2000s saw both modest growth and declines, culminating in more substantial fluctuations from 2007 through 2015, notably downturns in 2007 and 2015. However, recent years have shown promising gains; since 2011, there have been moderate increases nearly every year, including a recovery in 2022 and 2023. These historical trends offer lessons in the importance of diversifying energy sources and infrastructure to ensure stability and sustainability in the electricity sector. By expanding beyond hydropower and including more stable low-carbon sources like solar and nuclear, Ghana has the opportunity to create a more resilient energy system for future growth.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.