As of 2023, Ghana's electricity consumption is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with fossil energy sources, including gas, accounting for more than half of the total electricity consumed at approximately 61%. On the other hand, low-carbon energy sources, notably hydropower, contribute to almost 39% of the electricity mix. Within the low-carbon category, hydropower plays a significant role, providing close to all of the clean energy at around 38%. This illustrates a pressing need for Ghana to diversify its clean energy sources to combat the heavy reliance on fossil fuels and its inherent negative environmental impacts, such as climate change and air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Ghana?
Electricity consumption in Ghana has seen a promising yet modest growth. In 2023, the average electricity consumption per person increased to 719 kWh, up from 700 kWh in 2022, marking a noticeable increase of 18 kWh. However, while overall consumption is on the rise, low-carbon electricity generation per person has dramatically decreased since the previous record set in 1980. It has fallen by 167 kWh from 444 kWh to 277 kWh per person, which is concerning. This downward trend in low-carbon electricity generation is troubling since it indicates a move away from clean energy sources, which is not optimal given the global push towards sustainable energy transitions.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Ghana could learn from successful examples from other countries. For instance, Denmark, Uruguay, and the Netherlands have become leaders in wind energy, with more than a quarter of their electricity generated from wind power. Similarly, Lebanon and Somalia demonstrate the potential of solar energy, with solar power comprising more than 15% of their electricity mix. Investing in wind and solar infrastructure could provide Ghana with sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, considering nuclear energy, which countries like France and Slovakia have leveraged to produce a majority of their electricity, could significantly bolster Ghana's low-carbon electricity capacity, given its efficiency and sustainability.
History
Looking at the historical perspective, Ghana's low-carbon electricity has experienced fluctuations primarily driven by hydropower. In the 1980s, Ghana faced challenges with a significant reduction in hydropower generation, notably from 1983 to 1984 with declines of up to 2.3 TWh. The subsequent years saw intermittent recovery and decline, with increases in generation during periods like the late 1990s and mid-2000s. Notably, the period from 2008 through to 2019 saw recovery phases, with incremental positive changes in hydropower output. By 2023, hydropower generation increased by 1 TWh, pointing to a gradual improvement. However, this historical inconsistency underscores the need for diversified low-carbon energy sources beyond hydropower to ensure stable and sustainable growth in Ghana's clean electricity sector.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.