Beatrice Lang
Ghana has an abundant supply of electricity, exporting power to several countries in the region, including Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso. The country has a diverse energy mix, including hydropower, thermal energy, and renewable sources such as wind and solar power. Ghana's electrification rates have increased significantly over the years, with the country achieving the highest electricity access rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. While there were claims that Nigeria supplied electricity to Ghana, these were false; Nigeria only supplied gas, which Ghana converted into electricity. Ghana has also initiated programs to provide reliable electricity to its urban and southern regions, with plans to export electricity across its northern border to Burkina Faso.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries Ghana supplies electricity to | Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso |
| Electricity transmission | Ghana Grid Company |
| Distribution of electricity | Northern Electricity Distribution Company, Electricity Company of Ghana |
| Year Ghana became an electricity exporter | 2007 |
| Ghana's electrification rate in 2017 | 85% |
| Ghana's national average electricity access rate | 83.24% |
| Year Ghana aimed for universal electricity access | 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
Ghana's electricity exports to Burkina Faso
Ghana has become a significant player in the energy sector, exporting electricity to several neighbouring countries, including Burkina Faso. Ghana's electricity exports to Burkina Faso are part of the country's efforts to increase its electricity distribution and provide reliable power to its citizens and neighbouring countries.
Ghana's electricity sector has undergone significant development over the years, with a focus on utilising diverse energy sources such as hydropower, thermal energy, and renewable energy options like wind and solar power. The country's first government-sponsored public electricity supply began in 1914 in Sekondi-Takoradi, and since then, Ghana has continuously worked to expand its electricity network.
The final phase of Ghana's electricity distribution expansion includes exporting electricity across its northern border to Burkina Faso. This phase aims to connect major towns in the Upper East Region with the regional capital, Bolgatanga, at a substantial cost. By exporting electricity to Burkina Faso, Ghana is contributing to the development of the region and strengthening its position as an energy supplier.
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Ghana's electricity exports to Togo and Benin
Ghana has been exporting electricity to Togo and Benin, along with Burkina Faso and Cote D'Ivoire, for over twenty years. The country's electricity exports to its neighbouring countries are managed by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo). In 2023, Ghana exported 10.7% of its power to these countries.
Ghana's electricity exports have been a significant source of foreign exchange for the country. However, in April 2024, the country's president, Akufo-Addo, ordered a suspension of electricity exports to neighbouring countries to address the power crisis in Ghana. The decision was met with protests from Ghanaian citizens, with actress Yvonne Nelson leading the #DumsorMustStop movement.
The suspension of electricity exports is expected to negatively impact the finances of power generators in Ghana, particularly the Volta River Authority (VRA), which relies on foreign exchange earnings from energy exports to pay its workers and meet overhead costs.
Ghana's electricity sector faces challenges due to accumulated financial shortfalls, resulting in high tariffs for residential and business consumers. The sector also experiences long delays in payments to power producers, with the government subsidising the sector from the national budget.
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Ghana's energy exports to Nigeria
Ghana has been working to achieve 100% universal energy access and is considering exporting electricity to its neighbour, Nigeria. Ghana has been aggressively pursuing various energy sources, including grid electricity, mini-grids, and solar-dominated renewable energy, to attain "Universal access to energy by 2024", as instructed by the country's President. Ghana's Head of Generation and Transmission Unit, Ministry of Energy, Hanson Monney, has expressed the country's willingness to sell electricity to Nigeria to meet its energy requirements.
Ghana's power supply sources include hydroelectricity, thermal energy fuelled by crude oil, natural gas, and diesel, as well as solar and wind power. The country has a diversified energy mix and hosts the largest hydropower project in the Western African region. Ghana has achieved an impressive record of having the highest electricity access rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an average access rate of 83.24%.
Ghana's renewable energy sector is also growing, with a focus on solar and wind power. The country has set a target of achieving 10% renewable energy in its mix by 2020. The National Electrification Scheme (NES) was instituted in 1989 with the goal of ensuring all parts of the country have reliable electricity by 2020. Ghana has successfully implemented various electrification programs, and its national electric energy consumption per person has increased significantly since 2009.
Ghana exports some of its generated energy and fossil fuels to neighbouring countries like Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso. The country has a vibrant power generation sector with both public and private sector participation. Ghana's electricity exports to Nigeria would depend on the stability of its power grid and the resolution of financial challenges, as the country struggles with growing debts and the purchase of surplus capacity.
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Ghana's renewable energy sources
Ghana's energy sector is diverse, with sources including hydroelectricity, thermal energy fuelled by crude oil, natural gas, and diesel, and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass. Ghana has been an electricity exporter since 2007 and has increased its electricity exports to neighbouring countries such as Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso through ongoing grid expansions.
Ghana has abundant renewable energy resources that have yet to be fully exploited. These include biomass, hydropower, wind along the coast, and high solar irradiation. The country has set a target of achieving 10% renewable energy in its mix by 2020, with a focus on attracting private sector investment in renewable energy projects. As of 2019, renewable energy contributed 1% to Ghana's energy mix.
To achieve its renewable energy goals, Ghana has implemented various strategies and projects. These include the National Electrification Scheme (NES), which aims to provide reliable electricity to all parts of the country, including island and lakeside communities through renewable energy mini-grids. The government has also launched tenders for the procurement of solar plants, such as a 20MW solar plant for the Electricity Company of Ghana and a 50MW solar plan by the Bui Power Authority.
Ghana is also exploring nuclear power as part of its energy mix, with a roadmap accepted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA). The country has a diverse range of power generation players from both the public and private sectors, creating a vibrant landscape for renewable energy development and investment.
In addition to its renewable energy sources, Ghana also has a strong hydropower sector, hosting the largest hydropower project in the Western African region. The country has also seen gradual increases in electrification rates over the past two decades, with an access rate of almost 85% in 2017, the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Ghana's electricity exports to other countries
Ghana has an abundant supply of electricity and exports some of its generated energy and fossil fuels to other countries. Ghana's power supply sources include hydroelectricity, thermal energy fuelled by crude oil, natural gas, and diesel, as well as solar energy. Ghana's electricity exports to other countries include:
Burkina Faso
Ghana has extended its national grid to the Northern Region, linking northern Ghana to the power generated from the Akosombo Dam. The final phase of this project will see exports of electricity across the northern national border to Burkina Faso.
Togo and Benin
Ghana also exports electricity to Togo and Benin. There is potential for further exports to other neighbouring countries in the sub-region through ongoing grid expansions.
Nigeria
There are conflicting reports about whether Ghana exports electricity to Nigeria. Some sources claim that Ghana has agreed to supply Nigeria with electricity to meet its energy requirements and help solve its energy crisis. However, other sources state that Nigeria only supplies gas to Ghana, which is then converted into electricity by Ghanaian power plants.
Ghana has achieved a high rate of universal energy access, with electrification rates reaching almost 85% in 2017. The country has a diverse energy mix, including renewable energy sources such as solar power, hydropower, and wind energy. Ghana is also exploring the use of nuclear power in its energy mix.
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Frequently asked questions
Ghana exports electricity to Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso. Ghana has also expressed interest in selling electricity to Nigeria to help solve the country's energy crisis.
Ghana generates electricity from hydropower, fossil fuels (thermal energy), and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy.
Ghana has achieved an impressive electrification rate, with access to electricity reaching almost 85% in 2017. The country has implemented various electrification programs, and the National Electrification Scheme (NES) aims to ensure universal access to reliable electricity by 2020.
