The Institute for Energy Security (IES), an energy think-tank, has suggested to the government to increase electricity access by, at least, 3.5 percent annually for the next four years, in order to achieve universal access to electricity by 2025. Ghana’s electricity access rate was about 85.17 percent at the end of 2020.
What it means is that, out of the about 31 million population, 85.17 percent had access to electricity.
Delivering his inaugural address on January 7, 2021, following his re-election in the 2020 presidential election, President Akufo-Addo promised to ensure that communities without electricity are connected to the national electricity grid during his second term.
Reacting to the President’s promise, the IES, in a statement authored by Fritz Moses, Research Analyst, expressed belief that the President’s decision was based on his recognition that electricity was critical in the country’s development, for inclusive development and growth.
“The need for universal electrification led to the adoption of the National Electrification Scheme (NES) in 1985, when point electricity access stood at 25 percent within the country. The scheme projected for a universal electrification in Ghana by 2020,” the IES said.
The IES, which seeks security in energy demand and supply, observed that by 2020, access to electricity had risen to 45 percent, with an annual growth rate of two percent, adding that the annual growth rate stood at 2.2 percent from 2000 to 2010, with national electricity access reaching 67 percent of the entire country.
The IES explained that from 2010 to 2016, Ghana’s electricity access had an annual growth rate of 2.7 percent, extending electricity national access to 83 percent in the country.
Touching on the growth rate from 2016 to 2020, it said Ghana’s electricity growth rate experienced the lowest access over the last two decades, with an annual rate of 0.6 percent in the four years, culminating in a national electricity access to just above 85 percent.
The IES argued that the slow growth rate from 2017 to 2020 resulted in the extension of the target date for the universal electrification to 2025.
“Though IES is pleased with the government’s renewed resolve to act on this mandate, it remains cautious in hope, as recent history does not instill confidence. The IES, as a result, entreats the appropriate authorities to make the necessary investments and regulatory mechanism to ensure a fulfilment of the promise,” it noted.
The energy think tank stressed that the growth must be with the renewable energy sources, as towns without electricity are difficult-to-reach areas, mainly lakesides and islands.
The current renewable energy drive in the national electricity mix of the country is 32 percent, and the IES is urging the government to increase the percentage if it is certain on the task.
It was of the view that the increase in Ghana’s population, the current need for economic growth, and the prospect of universal electrification access are key factors in boosting confidence in the local markets, especially in areas where there were many people without access to electricity, as that would make them viable markets for industries to reach.
The IES further urged the government to consider revising its decision to freeze discussions and issuance of licences for new Independent Power Producers (IPPs), including renewables that are cheaper and more environmentally friendly, since that decision stalled many renewable power projects, some of which had secured all the technical permits from the relevant government and district agencies.
The post IES urges govt to expand electricity by 3.5% annually appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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