20151031-IRENA-Renewables_Readiness_Assessment_Ghana_60页_2mb

Introduction: Ghana is positioned as a strategic entry point for renewable energy in West Africa, with a commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure, supported by international partners like IRENA and ECREEE.

Resource Potential: Abundant renewable sources include solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass, capable of contributing significantly to energy generation. Solar irradiation is high in most regions, while wind resources peak in the south-east. Hydropower potential has been partially harnessed, but untapped sites offer significant capacity.

Key Enabling Factors: Legal frameworks such as the Renewable Energy Law (Act 832) provide structure, including Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) and Renewable Energy Purchase Obligations (RPOs). International partnerships and donor funding enhance capacity. On-grid solar and biogas initiatives, along with hybrid systems, are being piloted to support decentralisation.

Barriers & Challenges:

• Policy & Regulatory Inadequacies: Grid codes lack provisions for variable renewable forecasting and priority dispatch.
• Financing Issues: High interest rates impede private investment; foreign debt hampers utility payments, affecting offtake commitment.
• Market Penetration: Complex bureaucratic processes for grid connection and regulatory approvals.
• Decentralised Barriers: Limited off-grid deployment due to high upfront costs, insufficient institutional capacity, and weak awareness campaigns for sustainable biomass use.

Concrete Recommendations:

• Grid Integration: Revise grid codes for flexible integration, develop standards for rooftop solar PV.
• Private Sector Involvement: Establish a one-stop shop, capacity-building programs for operators and banks.
• On-grid Finance: Accelerate REF implementation, design effective currency risk mitigation instruments.
• Off-grid & Biomass: Targeted subsidies, microfinance for low-income end-users, improve cookstove awareness and manufacture.