Government plans to attract more private capital into its electricity distribution network as part of a broader 10-year strategy to build a self-sustaining and resilient energy sector, according to the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.
Speaking on behalf of Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor, the Deputy Director in charge of Power at the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Sulemana Abubakar, said government is prioritising reforms that will make the power sector more financially viable and less dependent on state intervention.
The plan focuses on expanding private-sector participation, boosting renewable energy generation and strengthening the transmission backbone to meet rising demand.
“Government remains focused on transforming the power sector into a modern, inclusive and financially sustainable system that delivers reliable, affordable and clean energy for all,” Mr. Abubakar said at an energy sector roundtable themed ‘Powering Ghana Forward: Strategizing for a Self-Sustaining and Resilient Power Sector in 10 Years’, held as a prelude to the Ghana Economic Forum (GEF) organised by B&FT.
He added that reforms will centre on accelerating distribution improvements, investing in digital infrastructure to reduce losses and enforcing cost-recovery through stronger revenue mechanisms.
The ministry aims to deepen collaboration with investors by improving governance and transparency across the energy value chain. It is also pushing for greater industrial participation, including local assembly of components for renewable energy projects to create jobs and reduce import-dependence.
While acknowledging challenges such as under-recoveries, high losses and delayed tariff adjustments, government said recent measures – including tariff rationalisation, prudent procurement and transparent implementation of the cash waterfall mechanism – are beginning to yield results.
“These interventions, if sustained, could significantly transform the sector in the medium-term,” the representative said.
Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) warned that demand growth is adding pressure to the country’s already stretched network. Ghana’s peak power demand stands at about 4,070 megawatts and is expected to reach 4,780 MW in 2026 and 6,198 MW by 2030, according to company projections. That means annual demand growth of roughly 374 MW.
GRIDCo said the country must urgently add new generation capacity and improve gas supply for thermal plants to avoid disruptions. Since 2022, the total gas supply – both domestic and imported – has not been enough to fuel all the nation’s thermal generation.
GRIDCo also highlighted financial constraints that have slowed investment in transmission infrastructure, leading to congestion and low voltage in several corridors – especially in the eastern and northern regions.
The country is also advancing its nuclear power programme, having reached Phase Two of development alongside Kenya and Nigeria. Officials say the project could deliver stable baseload power at single-digit tariffs while insulating the economy from global fuel price shocks.
“The next decade must mark Ghana’s bold leap toward energy sovereignty, sector resilience and a just green transition,” Mr. Abubakar added.
