Is Ghana On The Pathway To Achieve 10% Electricity Mix By 2020?

It is estimated that 600 million people will be left without electricity in an area with an estimated 1,100 GW of untapped energy potential (Danielle, 2017, par. 1). Ghana could potentially put forward a unique case for shifting from the burning of fugacious oil to power our thermal plants to a 100% cleaner energy. As of now, 68% of electricity is generated from hydropower with 31% from thermal plants (GEC, 2011). Ghana can pride itself in its renewable energy as a majority of its electricity comes from a renewable source, which is hydropower.

Realizing the impact of climate change on our water bodies has resulted in the dearth of our water supplies to power our hydro dams with electricity; solar seems to be on the cusp of brightening Ghana. Ghana receives solar radiation of about 5kWh/m² (DLR, 2004). The geographical position of Ghana blesses the entire land with an average of 5 to 8 hours of sunshine within 1kW/m² (DLR, 2004). In comparison to Germany, the country only receives 3 hours of sunlight yet they are the world leader of PV implementation (Sutch, 2011, NREL, 2010).

Ghana took a bold step to implement the Renewable Energy Act 832 following the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environmental and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro (UNCED, 1992). The Act was established in 2011 with a goal to boost investment in renewable energy and mix our electricity sector generation by 10% by the year 2020 (Act 832). In order for the Act to lure citizens and investors to increase the commercialization of solar energy, the feed-in tariff and net metering were introduced. Basically, the introduction of the feed-in tariff means generating excess power and selling to the grid by the usage of, for example, solar photovoltaic energy and receiving financial incentives from the government. Alternatively, net metering is the reverse version of the feed-in tariff with no financial incentives from government but a credit in your monthly billing.

The feed-in tariff is renewed every two (2) years by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission and is published in the gazette or national papers. I must say, I have been following this for the past few years and the last publication was September 1^st, 2013 (IRENA, 2015). See Table 1. As of now, how many Ghanaians have benefitted from the feed-in tariff? What is the current rate? What is the future of the feed-in tariff to Ghanaians?

Table 1: Shows the rate of feed-in tariffs.

Source: IRENA, 2015.
Ghana’s electricity sector as of now is described as paralyzed and in a state of perpetual crisis. Records show that renewable energy generated 0.13% of all Ghana’s electricity resources (Ahiataku, 2012). This is attributed to the fact that only 2MW were installed in the year 2014 by the Energy Commission. See Table 2.

Table 2: Showing solar energy generated from renewable energy

Source: Ghana Energy Commission, 2014.
Also, the process of attaining permits is tiring and difficult in Ghana, turning a lot of investors down both locally and internationally that could aid in Ghana speeding up to reach its 10% target. The lackadaisical attention paid to the Act has resulted in greater degrees of unreliable renewable energy provision. The Act, I must say, is moribund and needs amendment.

If Ghana desires to achieve its 10% target and meet its Millennium Development Goals, it must embark on a course of action that will reform its current Renewable Energy Act and the energy sector. On June 3^rd, 2016, Chile—located in Latin America—generated tremendous amounts of electricity from solar and was giving it away for free to its citizens (David, 2016). Ghana can learn from this Chilean example. Our fuglemen must empower its citizens to go solar by making the importation price charges more affordable while increasing funding to provide more opportunity for renewable energy infrastructure projects.

In conclusion, I must say that our roofs are tired of the scorching sun, while we are tired of scorching energy bills and dumsor (power outages)—why not let our roofs enjoy some cool shade while the energy sector enjoys some cool energy savings?

By Nana Adjei BA, BES, Ept, MES, Dip.
About the author
A passionate environmentalist with experience in energy planning software, RetScreen Interntional Expert. Currently developing a Business Plus Model that will be delivered to the Ministry of Energy to aid the energy crisis. It is his phantasmagoria to see Ghana go 100% renewable energy. Solar is doable, the time is right so is the price. It is for the hoi polloi.

Reference
Ahiataku -Togobo, W. In: Access to sustainable energy in Ghana—role of renewable energy an prerequisite AREA conference at the rockyfeller bellagio centre; Italy. May 22–26, 2012, and 2012.

Nield, D. (2016) Chile Is Producing So Much Solar Power; It's Giving It Away for Free

http://www.sciencealert.com/chile-is-producing-so-much-solar-power-that-it-s-giving-it-away-for-free . Time 4:47pm

DLR
Solar and wind energy resource assessment (SWERA)
DLR—activities within SWERA (2004)
Energy Commission (2014), “National Energy Statistics 2000 - 2013”, Energy Commission, Accra.

GEC
Energy supply and demand outlook for Ghana
Ghana Energy Commission (2011)
IRENA (2015)
Ghana Renewables Readiness Assessment
http://www.irena.org/DocumentDownloads/Publications/IRENA_RRA_Ghana_Nov_2015.pdf . Time 2:00pm

Izzo .D. (2017): Turn On the Lights – Clean Energy Development in Africa. http://breakingenergy.com/2017/03/01/turn-on-the-lights-clean-energy-development-in-africa/

Time 2:16
Renewable Energy Act, 2011
The Eight Hundred and Thirty-Second Act of the Parliament of Republic of Ghana (2011)

Sutch, Aaron. (2011) Solar Distributed Generation: An Alternative to Large Scale Hydropower in Cost Rica. Natural Resources and Sustainable Development.

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 25 Jan. 2013. < http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/616390/United-Nations- Conference-on-Environment-and-Development