By Mabel Adorkor Annang
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition says ongoing reforms in Ghana’s power sector are beginning to deliver measurable results, with significant reductions in electricity generation costs and improved financial stability.
Speaking at the opening of the 60th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) and the CEOs’ Governance and Leadership Forum in Accra, the Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Richard Gyan-Mensah, said the government has reduced the tariffs paid to renewable and thermal power producers, resulting in substantial savings while strengthening the sector’s financial sustainability.
“There have been significant savings in electricity tariffs. The tariff for renewable energy has been reduced from 18 cents to about 6.5 cents, and that represents huge savings. For thermal plants, we now have a generation cost that should not exceed 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, including fuel and all other costs. Previously, generation costs ranged from 13 to 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, but now they are much lower,” he said.
Ghana is hosting about 200 chief executives and technical directors of power utilities from across Africa for the annual meetings.
The forum is exploring the future of Africa’s electricity sector, with discussions focusing on strengthening regional electricity markets, improving regulatory frameworks, fostering strategic partnerships and accelerating the continent’s energy transition.
Participants also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration, improved interconnection of power systems and the efficient transfer of electricity from surplus areas to regions experiencing power deficits.
The Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, said renewable and nuclear energy should complement each other in building a reliable, clean and resilient energy future for Africa.
“For Africa, nuclear and renewable energy should not be seen as competing options but as complementary pillars of energy security, climate resilience, green industrialisation and regional market integration,” Mr. Obeng-Kenzo said.
The Director-General of the Association of Power Utilities of Africa, Abel Didier Tella, stressed the importance of transforming Africa’s energy sector to drive industrialisation and economic growth.
“Electric power is the foundation of industrial development. If we do not transform our energy sector and industrial base, we should forget about achieving meaningful economic growth in Africa,” he said.
Participants urged African power utilities to strengthen governance, deepen regional cooperation, embrace digitalisation and invest in sustainable energy solutions to improve electricity supply across the continent.
Ghana also reaffirmed its commitment to sharing its experience in power sector reforms while learning from the best practices of other African utilities.
