Ghana makes strides in energy transition; Energy Minister touts achievement in London

Ghana is making significant strides in its energy transition, the Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has said.

Contributing to a panel discussion on the energy sector, at the UK-Africa Industrial Decarbonisation Ministerial Tour in London, UK on Monday, he indicated that, the energy transition framework around which some of the bold decisions taken by the government revolve has been developed to provide a clear-blue print towards achieving net zero in a just and an equitable manner.

“The framework is being developed into an investor-friendly one, as it provides key opportunities for strategic investment,” he stated.

Ministers from the UK and Africa used the London event to look at the subject of decarbonisation within the context of the infrastructure, mining, and energy sectors of their economies with a critical look at the business eco-system to enable the best experience sharing among participants .

Universal access
Dr Opoku Prempeh , who is also the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, said the National Energy Policy, which is supported by the government’s vision for a clean power sector is underpinned by efforts to provide universal access to electricity by 2024 which currently stands at 88.85 per cent, as well as increasing the installed capacity of modern renewable energy in the energy mix to 10 per cent by 2030.

“Ghana’s economy will be fueled largely by electricity with a future electricity demand modelled at 380,000 GWh with a corresponding installed generation capacity of 83GW by 2070. An estimated 200 million tons of CO2 equivalent emission will be saved, “ he said.

He further stated that Ghana’s nationally determined contribution to the Paris Agreement has been revised and presented at COP26 with new targets in key sectors of the economy. The emission reduction target, he said, stands at 68 million tons of Co2.

Front burner
“I have no doubt that this roadshow, scheduled to continue in other parts of the United Kingdom in the coming days, will ensure that, the critical matters around decarbonisation are brought to the front burner in the spirit of objectivity and candour,” he emphasised.

The UK-Africa Industrial Decarbonisation roadshow will continue in Edinburgh, Leeds and Newcastle to bring issues on the subject to the front burner for discussion.