In Ghana, electricity consumption in 2023 is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which account for over 60% of the energy mix, with natural gas being the primary source at nearly the same percentage. Low-carbon sources provide the remaining electricity, with hydropower representing almost all of the clean energy segment at just over 37%. This dominant reliance on fossil fuels suggests significant room for improvement in the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy mix. It highlights the necessity for Ghana to bolster its low-carbon infrastructure to address the pressing issues of climate change and air pollution associated with fossil energy.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Ghana?
Electricity consumption in Ghana is experiencing modest growth. In 2023, per capita electricity consumption reached 719 kWh, marking an increase from 700 kWh per person in 2022. However, the strides in low-carbon electricity generation are not as promising. The current per capita figure for clean electricity, at 277 kWh, is unfortunately still significantly lower than the peak of 444 kWh reached in 1980. Despite the overall electricity increase, this decline in low-carbon generation per capita underlines the urgent need for reinvigorated efforts to expand the clean energy sector, to not only meet the growing demand but also to ensure a sustainable future.
Suggestions
For Ghana to expand its low-carbon electricity generation, learning from other regions would be invaluable. Countries like Denmark and the United States state of Iowa have leveraged wind energy to supply more than half of their electricity needs, demonstrating the potential for wind in Ghana's energy strategy. Solar energy also offers immense promise, as shown by countries such as Cyprus and Nevada, which have successfully integrated solar to account for over a fifth of their electricity consumption. Significantly, nuclear energy remains a potent low-carbon option, with countries like France and Slovakia deriving a majority of their electricity from it. Ghana can consider adopting a diverse energy portfolio that includes solar, wind, and even nuclear power to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation capabilities.
History
Looking at the historical data of Ghana's low-carbon electricity generation, hydropower has been the backbone, with various fluctuations over the decades. In the 1980s, there were significant increases, such as in 1985 and 1986, which saw upward shifts of 1.2 TWh and 1.4 TWh, respectively. However, these were contrasted by declines like the substantial decrease of 3 TWh in 1998. The early 2000s experienced more ups and downs, with years like 2008 providing substantial growth of 2.5 TWh, followed by modest gains in recent years, such as the 1 TWh increase in 2023. However, this inconsistent progress signifies the need for a more determined push towards expanding clean energy infrastructure to withstand fluctuations and meet future demands consistently.
