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Composition of Fuels in Final Energy Consumption, 2000

In the year 2000, it was estimated that electricity accounted for about 11 % of the total energy consumed. Ghana's electricity supply is mainly obtained from hydro and thermal sources. Ghana also relies on some level of imports from neighbouring La Cote d'Ivoire to supplement domestic supply especially during peak hours.

The electricity supply mix in the country is expected to change by the year 2010 from the largely hydro-based system to a largely thermal-based one relying on natural gas as the main source of fuel. This transition would be made possible by the West African Gas Pipeline Project, which is expected to transport natural gas from Nigeria through Benin and Togo to Ghana.

The current national access to electricity supply is about 43 % of the population. However, over 80 % of the domestic electricity supply is consumed in the cities and urban towns.

Hydropower and imported fossil fuel are the main energy sources used to generate electricity in the country. See figures Total Electricity Generation 1990-2004 and Percentage Shares of Hydro and Thermal Generation 2000-2004.

There is also the potential for electricity generation from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and small hydro. These sources however have not yet been exploited to any significant degree for electricity generation.

There are over 4,000 off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems installed nationwide as at 2001 with a total capacity is about 1 MW.

Source: Energy Commission, Electricity Sector Overview, 2002

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Only energy saving technologies and the use of renewable energy sources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent climate change. The renewable energy sources available in Ghana are the following: