John Jinapor (standing) explaining a point to Vice President Naana Opoku-Agyemang
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, says the improving economic conditions have led to increased electricity consumption in the country, making it necessary for government to take proactive and innovative steps to expand power supply and avoid future shortfalls.
According to the Minister, demand for electricity is rising alongside the economic recovery, and the energy sector must keep pace to sustain growth and protect households and businesses from supply disruptions.
The Minister made the remarks during a working visit by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to the Ministry yesterday.
He said additional power would be procured this year to address projected supply deficits between 2026 and 2028.
“Because of the way the economy is picking up, there is increased consumption when it comes to electricity, and we must match that pace. To do so, we have to be innovative.
“We are considering competitive tendering, or using the Volta River Authority as a funding vehicle, so that we can deliver cheaper power for the people of Ghana,” Mr. Jinapor said.
He explained that hydro power contribution has declined to about 28 percent, a development that requires urgent action to prevent an estimated deficit of between 290 and 420 megawatts from 2026 onwards.
He said, as part of the response, the Ministry plans to construct a second gas processing plant using indigenous gas to strengthen thermal generation and reduce reliance on expensive fuel imports.
On the petroleum sector, the Minister said crude oil production is beginning to improve, with output expected to increase by about 10,000 barrels per day.
He added that gas fields have been expanded and a two-billion-dollar agreement has been secured to reduce gas prices from 3.1 dollars to 2.5 dollars, a move expected to boost both consumption and production.
Mr. Jinapor further disclosed that the Tema Oil Refinery is operational, while the Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company has refurbished about 57,000 gas cylinders to improve access to liquefied petroleum gas.
He said the government is also investing in renewable energy and clean transport, with solar projects and electric vehicle charging stations under development as part of the broader green transition agenda.
Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang expressed satisfaction with the measures being implemented by the Minister and his team to stabilise and reposition the power sector, noting that despite inheriting huge debts and an ailing system in 2025, Ghanaians have not experienced power cuts.
“This is a good story. I remember when the results had been declared and we quickly went into all kinds of meetings, and I remember all the pressures especially when we were learning the real situation that we had inherited and what needed to be done,” Prof Opoku-Agyemang said.
By Ernest Kofi Adu