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GHANA RENEWABLES READINESS ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

Core Content

The Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) for Ghana, conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with local and regional institutions, provides a comprehensive overview of the country's renewable energy landscape, policy environment, and challenges in deployment. The report outlines the potential for renewable energy in Ghana and highlights key actions needed to enhance its adoption and integration into the national energy system.

Main Points

Country Overview

• Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast, is located on the West Coast of Africa.
• It has a total land area of 239,000 km² and is divided into ten administrative regions.
• The population in 2014 was 27 million, growing at an annual rate of 2.4%.
• The service sector is the largest contributor to GDP, followed by industry and agriculture.

Energy and Development Nexus

• Energy is essential for economic growth and development, and its use directly affects living standards.
• Ghana has one of the highest electricity access rates in West Africa, with 72% of the population having access, 87% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas.
• The country is a net power exporter to neighboring countries (Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso).
• Domestic demand is growing at about 10% annually, expected to reach 24,000 GWh by 2020.

Renewable Energy Readiness Assessment Process

• The RRA process was initiated under IRENA's mandate to evaluate the readiness of countries to scale up renewable energy deployment.
• It involves a holistic analysis of social, economic, and environmental conditions.
• The process identifies barriers, opportunities, and actionable steps to support renewable energy development.

Key Renewable Energy Resources and Potential

• Biomass is the largest source of energy, accounting for about 50% of the total primary energy supply.
• Oil is the second most used source, contributing 40% of primary energy supply.
• Hydropower and natural gas contribute 7% and 3% respectively.
• Solar, wind, and small/mini-hydropower (up to 1 MW) are also significant renewable resources.
• The country has high solar irradiation and moderate wind potential, especially in the southern and coastal regions.

Enabling Environment for Renewable Energy

Policy and Regulatory Framework

• The Renewable Energy Law (Act 882, 2011) provides the legal basis for promoting renewable energy.
• It includes mechanisms such as Feed-in Tariff (FiT), Renewable Energy Purchase Obligation (RPO), and Net Metering.
• The law also establishes a Renewable Energy Fund (REF) to support financial incentives and investment.

Institutional Stakeholders

• Key institutions include the Energy Commission, Ministry of Power (MoP), IRENA, ECREEE, PURC, and Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo).
• The Volta River Authority (VRA) and Bui Power Authority are responsible for large-scale generation.
• Independent Power Producers (IPPs) like Sunon Asogli and CENIT Energy are involved in generation and distribution.

Financing and Investment

• The government has channelled energy consumption levies to finance power sector upgrades.
• Renewable energy technologies are exempt from import duties to attract private investment.
• The Renewable Energy Fund (REF) is intended to support projects through subsidies and equity participation.
• However, payment guarantees for IPPs remain a concern due to debt issues in distribution companies like ECG and NEDCo.

Emerging Issues in Renewable Energy Deployment

Grid Integration of Variable Renewable Energy

• A comprehensive grid code was established in 2009, but it lacks provisions for generation forecasting and priority dispatch.
• These are essential for integrating variable renewable energy (solar, wind) into the grid.
• The system operator needs to develop procedures to handle renewable energy data and dispatch.

Off-grid Renewable Energy Applications

• The off-grid market is small and not attractive to foreign investors.
• Local private operators and donors are likely to drive development.
• Mini-grids require clear policies and financial mechanisms for sustainable operation.
• Hybrid systems are more complex and require specialized expertise for installation and management.

Modern Cooking and Heating with Biomass

• Biomass is widely used for cooking and heating, but traditional methods lead to deforestation and air pollution.
• There is a need to promote clean cookstoves and improve biomass utilization.
• The government should support capacity building and awareness campaigns to increase adoption of improved cookstoves.

Challenges and Constraints

• High interest rates and lack of financial expertise deter investment in off-grid projects.
• Technical constraints include limited expertise in developing bankable proposals.
• Currency risk due to the depreciation of the Ghana cedi (GHS) affects project viability, as investments are often in foreign currency.

Key Recommendations

• Revise the grid code to include provisions for variable renewable energy integration.
• Streamline the IPP entry process by establishing a one-stop shop for regulatory approvals.
• Develop clear policies for off-grid mini-grids and support financial instruments like group lending and microfinance.
• Improve the business model for decentralised renewable energy systems to increase viability and sustainability.
• Enhance awareness and education on renewable technologies, especially for rural communities and farmers.
• Support R&D and local manufacturing of renewable technologies, such as solar dryers.
• Promote sustainable biomass use through policy and capacity-building initiatives.

Conclusion

IRENA and the Ghanaian government have collaborated to assess the readiness of Ghana for renewable energy deployment. The report identifies barriers and opportunities in the renewable energy sector, emphasizing the need for policy reform, financial support, and institutional capacity building to accelerate renewable energy adoption. The findings are expected to guide the implementation of the Draft Renewable Energy Strategy and support international cooperation in the region.

Key Stakeholders and Implementation Timeline

• Ministry of Power (MoP): Leading the implementation of the RRA recommendations.
• IRENA and ECREEE: Providing technical support and expertise.
• Energy Commission: Playing a key role in policy development and implementation.
• Local private operators and financial institutions: Need capacity building and support for off-grid projects.
• Donors and development partners: Important for funding and technical assistance.
• Expected timeline: Short- to medium-term actions, with a focus on policy and institutional reforms.

References

• IRENA (2015)
• Ghana Statistical Service
• Ministry of Power
• Energy Commission of Ghana
• KNUST and KITE (Ghana)
• ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE)

Annex

• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• Abbreviations

This report serves as a foundational tool for enhancing Ghana's renewable energy landscape and supports the broader goal of achieving sustainable development and energy access in the country and the region.