Story By: Mabel Adorkor Annang
Ghana’s electricity generation remained heavily dependent on thermal power in July 2026, with thermal plants accounting for 74.33 percent of total electricity generated.
Despite this, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), is concerned about the country’s continued heavy reliance on thermal power and expensive liquid fuels.
PURC warns that continued reliance on thermal power and liquid fuels exposes the energy sector to global fuel price volatility and foreign exchange pressures.
According to the PURC’s July 2026 Electricity Supply Fact Sheet, Ghana generated 2,317.13 gigawatt-hours of electricity during the month.
This was a 3.99 percent decline from June, largely due to lower seasonal demand, but represented a 6.20 percent increase compared to July 2025.
Thermal power continued to dominate the generation mix, accounting for 74.33% (1,722.33 GWh) percent of total electricity produced. Hydropower contributed 25.01% (579.45 GWh), while solar accounted for 0.66% (15.35 GWh), reflecting a 96.26% surge in solar output year-on-year.
Peak electricity demand fell to 3,980 megawatts in July. With dependable generation capacity of 4,968 megawatts, the country recorded a capacity surplus of 988 megawatts, pushing the reserve margin to 24.82 percent, well above the national benchmark of 18 percent.
Peak demand dropped to 3,980 MW. Against a dependable capacity of 4,968 MW, the grid maintained a 988 MW surplus. This translated to a 24.82% reserve margin, comfortably exceeding the 18% system adequacy target.
Cross-Border Trade: Ghana exported 191.44 GWh of electricity. Burkina Faso (SONABEL) was the largest recipient at 40.47%, followed by Togo/Benin (CEB) at 36.64% and Ivory Coast (CIE) at 22.89%. Total imports stood at a minimal 2.62 GWh.
The strong supply position also enabled Ghana to remain a net exporter of electricity, with exports reaching 191.44 gigawatt-hours, with Burkina Faso, (SONABEL) being mainly the largest recipient at 40.47%, followed by Togo/Benin (CEB) at 36.64% and Ivory Coast (CIE) at 22.89%. Total imports stood at a minimal 2.62 GWh.
Despite the positive performance, PURC says the fuel used to generate the electricity remains a concern.
Thermal plants consumed more than 14.7 million MMBTU of natural gas in July. Eni remained the primary gas supplier of about 48.4% (281.31 MMSCFD), while Takoradi 36.5% and Tema 40.4% served as the primary consumption hubs.
When gas was insufficient or supplemental power was required, thermal plants consumed 187,517.58 barrels of liquid fuels. Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) accounted for 42% of liquid fuel usage, Light Crude Oil (LCO) made up 30%, and Distillate Fuel Oil (DFO) represented 28%.
Regulatory & Policy Outlook
The plants also used more than 187,000 barrels of liquid fuels, including Heavy Fuel Oil and Light Crude Oil. PURC warns that continued dependence on thermal generation and liquid fuels could expose Ghana’s power sector to international fuel price increases and foreign exchange pressures.
The regulator is therefore calling for faster investment in renewable energy and improved access to natural gas to reduce generation costs and strengthen the long-term stability of the electricity supply system.
