Ghana’s power sector is edging into a “higher-risk zone” as rising electricity demand continues to outstrip critical investments in transmission infrastructure.
This is according to an analysis by the Institute for Energy Security (IES).
The warning comes as peak demand shows growing economic activity and increased consumption across households and industry.
However, the think tank cautions that this progress has not been matched by corresponding upgrades in the transmission network thereby creating structural vulnerabilities within the power system.
“The system is increasingly characterised by congested transmission corridors, rising technical losses, over-loaded infrastructure, and ageing, obsolete equipment; all of which collectively pose a direct threat to grid stability, system reliability, and the efficiency of power delivery.With demand now exceeding 4,280 MW. Ghana’s power system is now entering a higher-risk zone for supply shortfalls if capacity expansion and grid upgrades lag behind demand growth”, the analysis referenced.
IES says without timely capacity expansion and targeted grid modernisation, Ghana could face an elevated risk of power supply shortfalls, particularly during peak demand periods.
Economic impact
These persistent inefficiencies in the power sector could increase operational costs for businesses, undermine industrial productivity and slow the pace of economic growth.
Which is why there is an urgent need for coordinated investment strategies and regulatory reforms to revamp the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure.
“The Institute therefore urges government, regulators, and development partners to prioritise transmission network reinforcement as a matter of national strategic importance. The decisions taken today regarding transmission infrastructure investment will determine the reliability, efficiency, and competitiveness of the power sector for decades to come. Decisive action is not optional, it is imperative.”
Proposals to mitigate risks
- Upgrading existing transmission infrastructure with high-capacity conductors will reduce system over-loading, minimise technical losses, and provide critical redundancy under contingency conditions, thereby improving overall network performance. At the same time, the development of additional high-voltage transmission circuits is necessary to significantly enhance bulk power transfer capacity across the grid, strengthen supply security to major load centres, and increase system flexibility, particularly during peak demand periods.
- Furthermore, reinforcing key transmission corridors will provide alternative power flow paths, reduce vulnerability to single-point failures, and enhance overall system resilience. Investments in reactive power compensation and system upgrades will improve voltage stability across the network, enhance power quality delivered to consumers, and support the integration of renewable energy (RE) sources, particularly in areas where variability poses operational challenges.
- In addition, the replacement of ageing and over-loaded transformers and sub-station equipment has become imperative to eliminate operational bottlenecks, ensure compliance with modern technical standards, and maintain system reliability. Expanding transformation capacity at critical nodes will not only meet growing electricity demand but also improve redundancy and ensure a more stable and reliable supply of power to end-users.
- Equally important is the need to optimise the network to reduce both technical and commercial losses, thereby improving transmission efficiency and enhancing the cost-effectiveness of power delivery across the system.
- Strengthening inter-connection capacity will also play a crucial role in increasing cross-border electricity trade, improving Ghana’s competitiveness within the regional power market, and supporting revenue generation through exports.
