The first Ghana government-sponsored public electricity supply in Ghana commenced in the year 1914, at Sekondi-Takoradi, operated by the Ghana Railway Administration (Ghana Railway Corporation). Power supply was extended to Sekondi-Takoradi in 1928. The Ghana Public Works Department had commenced a limited direct current (DC) supply in Accra during 1922. A large alternating current (AC) project started on 1 November 1924, and a small plant consisting of three horizontal single cylinder oil-powered engines was installed in Koforidua in 1925.
In 1926, work started on electrical distribution to Kumasi.[7] A restricted evening supply commenced in May 1927, and a power station was brought into full operation on 1 October 1927.[7] In the same year DC supply was installed at Winneba, but this was subsequently changed to AC by extending an existing supply from Swedru and during the period 1929-30, a limited electricity supply was extended to Tamale, until a new AC plant was installed in 1938.[7]
The next power station to be established was in Cape Coast in 1932. This was taken over by the Ghana Electricity Department in 1947.[7] A Ghanaian power station at Swedru was commissioned in 1948 and this was followed by the installation of generating plants at Akim Oda, Dunkwa-on-Offin and Bolgatanga in 1948.[8][7] On 27 May 1949, an electricity supply was made available at Nsawam, through the building of an 11 kV overhead transmission line from Accra.[7] The Keta electricity supply which was included in the program was delayed by staff difficulties and was not commissioned until 1955.[7]
The Temapower station was commissioned in 1956 with a 3 x 650 kilowatts (870hp)diesel generating set.[7] The Ho power station followed in 1957 and from 1961 to 1964.[7] The Tema power station was extended to a maximum capacity of 35,298 kilowatts (47,335hp), thus, making it probably the biggest single diesel-powered generating station in Africa.[7]
In 1963 the Ghana Electricity Division brought into operation the first 161 kV transmission system in Ghana, which was used to carry power from the TemaPower Station. At its peak in 1965, about 75 percent of the power was used in Accra.[7][9]
In 1994, Ghana's total generating capacity was about 1.187GW, and annual production totaled approximately 4.49GW. The main source of supply was the Volta River Authority with six 127MW turbines[7] installed at the Akosombo Hydroelectric Project. At this time, this project provided the bulk of all electricity consumed in Ghana, some 60 percent of which was purchased by Volta Aluminum Company (VALCO) for its smelter. The power plant export amounted to an estimated equivalent of 180,000 tons of oil in 1991.[7]
The balance of Ghana's electricity was produced by diesel units owned by the Electricity Corporation of Ghana, by mining companies, and by a 160MW hydroelectric plant at Kpong, about 40 kilometers downstream from Akosombo. A third dam at Bui on the Black Volta River had been studied, and was completed in 2013.[7]
Ghana has attempted to increase distribution of its electricity throughout the country. One program Ghana has initiated will provide reliable and widespread electricity in the urban and southern parts of the country. In addition, the extension of the national grid to the Northern Region was commissioned in 1989. The extension links northern Ghana to the power generated from the Akosombo Dam.[7]
The second phase of the extension will connect major towns in Upper East Region with the regional capital Bolgatanga, at a cost of US$100 million.[7] The final phase will see exports of electricity across the northern national border of Ghana to Burkina-Faso.[7] In early 1991 the Electricity Corporation of Ghana began the expansion of electricity networks in the northwestern areas of Accra and the Ghanaian corporation aimed to extend the supply of electricity to all isolated centers in Ghana, where diesel is the main source of power.[7] Plans were also afoot to increase the supply of electricity by utilization of thermal energy and construction was anticipated by late 1994 on the country's first thermal power generating plant near Sekondi-Takoradi and scheduled for completion in 1997, the plant contributed 300MW of electricity to the Ghana national grid.[7]
Ghana produces 140–200 million cubic feet of natural gas per day and in which natural gas production in Ghana has been restrained from full production capacity since December 2012, due to delays in construction of a Ghanaian gas refinery in Sekondi-Takoradi, that was scheduled to be completed by December 2012 and now scheduled to be completed by December 2013, and due to which in turn has led to gas flaring and Ghana losing hundreds of millions a day, since December 2012 in revenues from natural gas production. Since December 2012, billions of dollars a year have been lost from the Ghanaian GDP, due to the delays in construction of a gas refinery in Sekondi-Takoradi.[10]
A Ghanaian oilfield which is reported to contain up to 3 billion barrels (480,000,000m3) of crude oil was discovered in 2007,[12][13] and according to the Ghanaian government, the country could expand its petroleum reserves up to 5 billion barrels (790,000,000m3) of crude oil in reserves within a few years.[14]
Ghana produces 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day on average from an expected 1–2 million barrels of crude oil per day,[10] and an expected crude oil production revenue of US$ 30 billion a year; as with Angola, also a crude oil producer, has an expected 2 million barrels of crude oil production per day[15] and receives an expected $33.7 billion a year in crude oil revenues.[16]
Tremendous inflow of economic capital from fossil fuel into the Ghanaian economy, began from the first quarter of 2011 when Ghana started producing crude oil and natural gas in commercial quantities and the Ghana crude oil industry accounted for 6% of the Ghanaian economic revenue for 2011. Oil and Gas exploration in Ghana continues and the amount of both crude oil and natural gas in Ghana continues to increase.[10] As of August 2022, the crude oil production size in Ghana lay at 177 thousand barrels per day.[17]
Increasing energy supply and consumption
Among Ghana’s energy consumers, including industries and residents, energy supply is crucial for constant and efficient consumption. In 2020, the country supplied more than 12 million metric tons of oil equivalent of energy, which was an all-time high compared to the five preceding years. Specifically, in 2020, the total energy supply from natural gas and hydro sources reached approximately three million metric tons of oil equivalent and 627,000 metric tons of oil equivalent, respectively. In terms of consumption, the total amount of primary energy consumed amounted to 100 terawatt hours as of 2019, translating to about 3,180 kilowatt hours per capita. Ghana’s final energy consumption, which refers to what is consumed by end users, reached around 8.6 million tons of oil equivalent in 2020. Petroleum and biomass were the most consumed energy products.
As part of expanding consumption of energy by consumers, The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has entered into a partnership with the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) to enhance the region's electricity supply capacity in response to escalating demand. This collaboration, finalized during a recent meeting at GRIDCo's headquarters in Anwomaso, Ashanti Region, involves the installation of a 145MVA power transformer at strategic points between GRIDCo and ECG Bulk Supply Points. This initiative replaces one of the existing 50MVA transformers, significantly increasing the installed capacity to effectively manage rising load demands, especially during peak hours (7 pm-11 pm).[18]
Solar energy
The biggest photovoltaic (PV) and the largest solar energy plant in Africa, the Nzema project, based in Ghana, will be able to provide electricity to more than 100,000 homes.[19] The 155MW plant will increase Ghana's electricity generating capacity by 6%.
Construction work on the GH¢ 740 million (£ 248 million) and the 4th largest solar power plant in the world, is being developed by Blue Energy, a UK-based renewable energy investment company, majority owned and funded by members of the Stadium Group, a large European private asset and development company with £ 2.5 billion under management. Project director is Douglas Coleman, from Mere Power Nzema Ltd, Ghana.[19]
Unlike many other solar projects in Africa that use concentrated solar power, solar plants will use photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert sunlight directly into electricity.[19][20] Installation of more than 630,000 solar PV modules will begin by the end of 2017.
As of August 2015, the project is still under development.[21][needs update] In February 2023 president cuts the sod for construction of 17MW solar power project in lawra-kaleo.[20]
In addition to hydropower and solar energy, Ghana also produces a large amount of other renewable energy, other forms of energy that produce electricity in Ghana are wind power, geothermal and biomass.[22] It is the official goal of Ghana energy industry to have 10% of Ghana's energy mix come from renewable sources (not counting large-scale hydropower) by 2015 or at the very latest by 2020.[23]
Ghana has Class 4-6 wind resources at locations of the high wind areas – such as Nkwanta, the Accra Plains, Kwahu and Gambagamountains. The maximum energy that could be tapped from Ghana's available wind resource for electricity is estimated to be about 500 – 600 GWh/year.[23] To give perspective – In 2011, from the same Energy Commission, the largest Akosombohydroelectric dam in Ghana alone produced 6,495 GWhrs of electric power and, counting all Ghana's geothermal energy production in addition, total energy generated was 11,200 GWh rs in the same year.[23]
These assessments do not take into consideration, further limiting factors such as land-use restrictions, the existing grid (or how far the wind resource may be from the grid) and accessibility.[23]Wind energy has the potential to contribute significantly to the country's energy industry – 10% can certainly be attained in terms of installed capacity and about 5% of total electric generation potential from wind alone.[23]
The vast arable and degraded land mass of Ghana, has the potential for the cultivation of crops and plants that could be converted into a wide range of solid and liquid bio-fuels, as the development of alternative transportation fuels could help Ghana to diversify and secure its future energy supplies.[11] Main investments in the bio-energy areas existed in the areas of production are transportation, storage, distribution, sale, marketing and exportation.[11]
The goal of Ghana regarding bio-energy, as articulated its energy sector policy, is to modernize and examine the benefits of bio-energy on a sustainable basis.[11]Biomass is Ghana's dominant energy resource in terms of endowment and consumption, with the two primary bio-fuels consumed being ethanol and biodiesel.[11] To that effect, the Ghana ministry of Energy in 2010 developed the energy sector strategy and development plan.[11] Highlights of the key policy objectives strategy for the renewable energy areas include sustaining the supply and efficient use of wood-fuels, while ensuring that their utilization does not lead to deforestation.[11]
The plan would support private sector investments in the cultivation of bio-fuel raw materials, extraction of bio-oil and its refining into secondary products, thereby creating appropriate financial and tax incentives. The Ghana Renewal Energy Act provides the necessary fiscal incentives for renewable energy development by the private sector, and also details the control and management of bio-fuel and wood- fuel projects in Ghana.[11] The Ghana National Petroleum Authority (NPA) was tasked by the Renewable Energy Act 2011, to price Ghana's bio-fuel blend in accordance with the prescribed petroleum pricing formula.[11]
The combined effects of climate change and global economic turbulence, had triggered a sense of urgency among Ghanaian policymakers, industry and development practitioners to find sustainable and viable solutions in the area of bio-fuels.[11]
Ghana’s energy sector is such that the government is involved in the processes of energy production, distribution, and trade. Energy is sourced from both renewables and fossil fuels, which form the basis of the electricity supply and consumption in the country. Gas represents the largest source of electricity production in Ghana, followed by hydropower.
According to data by the International Energy Agency, Ghana’s electricity mix in 2021 relied on natural gas (62.6 %) and hydropower (34.1 %). Solar power accounted for less than one percent.[25]
The economy of Ghana has a diverse and rich resource base, including the manufacturing and exportation of digital technology goods, automotive and ship construction and exportation, and the exportation of diverse and rich resources such as hydrocarbons and industrial minerals.
Japan is a major consumer of energy, ranking fifth in the world by primary energy use. Fossil fuels accounted for 88% of Japan's primary energy in 2019. Japan imports most of its energy due to scarce domestic resources. As of 2022, the country imports 97% of its oil and is the larger LNG importer globally.
Energy in the United Kingdom came mostly from fossil fuels in 2021. Total energy consumption in the United Kingdom was 142.0milliontonnes of oil equivalent in 2019. In 2014, the UK had an energy consumption per capita of 2.78tonnes of oil equivalent compared to a world average of 1.92tonnes of oil equivalent. Demand for electricity in 2023 was 29.6GW on average, supplied through 235TWh of UK-based generation and 24TWh of energy imports.
The energy policy of India is to increase the locally produced energy in India and reduce energy poverty, with more focus on developing alternative sources of energy, particularly nuclear, solar and wind energy. Net energy import dependency was 40.9% in 2021-22.
Iran possesses significant energy reserves, holding the position of the world's third-largest in proved oil reserves and the second-largest in natural gas reserves as of 2021. At the conclusion of the same year, Iran's share comprised 24% of the oil reserves in the Middle East and 12% of the worldwide total.
Brazil is the 7th largest energy consumer in the world and the largest in South America. At the same time, it is an important oil and gas producer in the region and the world's second largest ethanol fuel producer. The government agencies responsible for energy policy are the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE), the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) and the National Agency of Electricity (ANEEL). State-owned companies Petrobras and Eletrobras are the major players in Brazil's energy sector, as well as Latin America's.
Renewable energy in Finland increased from 34% of the total final energy consumption (TFEC) in 2011 to 48% by the end of 2021, primarily driven by bioenergy (38%), hydroelectric power (6.1%), and wind energy (3.3%). In 2021, renewables covered 53% of heating and cooling, 39% of electricity generation, and 20% of the transport sector. By 2020, this growth positioned Finland as having the third highest share of renewables in TFEC among International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries.
Since 2013, total primary energy consumption in India has been the third highest in the world after China and United States. India is the second-top coal consumer in the year 2017 after China. India ranks third in oil consumption with 22.1 crore tons in 2017 after United States and China. India is net energy importer to meet nearly 47% of its total primary energy in 2019.
Energy in Mexico describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Mexico.
The petroleum industry of Ghana is regulated by the state-owned Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and administered by the state-owned Ghana Oil Company (GOIL).
The Democratic Republic of the Congo was a net energy exporter in 2008. Most energy was consumed domestically in 2008. According to the IEA statistics the energy export was in 2008 small and less than from the Republic of Congo. 2010 population figures were 3.8 million for the RC compared to CDR 67.8 Million.
This article describes the energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Egypt.
Energy in Austria describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Austria. Austria is very reliant on hydro as an energy source, supported by imported oil and natural gas supplies. It is planned by 2030 to become 100% electricity supplied by renewable sources, primarily hydro, wind and solar.
Renewable energy has developed rapidly in Italy over the past decade and provided the country a means of diversifying from its historical dependency on imported fuels. Solar power accounted for around 8% of the total electric production in the country in 2014, making Italy the country with the highest contribution from solar energy in the world that year. Rapid growth in the deployment of solar, wind and bio energy in recent years lead to Italy producing over 40% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2014.
Energy in Serbia describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Serbia.
Uzbekistan had a total primary energy supply (TPES) of 48.28 Mtoe in 2012. Electricity consumption was 47.80 TWh. The majority of primary energy came from fossil fuels, with natural gas, coal and oil the main sources. Hydroelectricity, the only significant renewable source in the country, accounted for about 2% of the primary energy supply. Natural gas is the source for 73.8% of electricity production, followed by hydroelectricity with 21.4%.
Myanmar had a total primary energy supply (TPES) of 16.57 Mtoe in 2013. Electricity consumption was 8.71 TWh. 65% of the primary energy supply consists of biomass energy, used almost exclusively (97%) in the residential sector. Myanmar’s energy consumption per capita is one of the lowest in Southeast Asia due to the low electrification rate and a widespread poverty. An estimated 65% of the population is not connected to the national grid. Energy consumption is growing rapidly, however, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3% from 2000 to 2007.
In 2013, renewable energy provided 26.44% of the total electricity in the Philippines and 19,903 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electrical energy out of a total demand of 75,266 gigawatt-hours. The Philippines is a net importer of fossil fuels. For the sake of energy security, there is momentum to develop renewable energy sources. The types available include hydropower, geothermal power, wind power, solar power and biomass power. The government of the Philippines has legislated a number of policies in order to increase the use of renewable energy by the country.
Denmark is a leading country in renewable energy production and usage. Renewable energy sources collectively produced 81% of Denmark's electricity generation in 2022, and are expected to provide 100% of national electric power production from 2030. Including energy use in the heating/cooling and transport sectors, Denmark is expected to reach 100% renewable energy in 2050, up from the 34% recorded in 2021.
World energy supply and consumption refers to the global supply of energy resources and its consumption. The system of global energy supply consists of the energy development, refinement, and trade of energy. Energy supplies may exist in various forms such as raw resources or more processed and refined forms of energy. The raw energy resources include for example coal, unprocessed oil & gas, uranium. In comparison, the refined forms of energy include for example refined oil that becomes fuel and electricity. Energy resources may be used in various different ways, depending on the specific resource, and intended end use. Energy production and consumption play a significant role in the global economy. It is needed in industry and global transportation. The total energy supply chain, from production to final consumption, involves many activities that cause a loss of useful energy.
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