President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled intentions to establish a new 1,200 megawatt gas powered electricity facility as part of measures aimed at broadening Ghana’s power production capacity and addressing the steady rise in national energy demand.
Addressing participants during the “Resetting Ghana” tour in the Eastern Region on Saturday, May 2, the President indicated that the administration will initiate the groundbreaking ceremony within the year to commence implementation of the project.
He explained that the programme constitutes a component of a wider policy direction designed to reinforce the nation’s energy sector through enhanced production capabilities alongside the introduction of backup capacity within the grid.
Reflecting on consumption patterns, he observed that the country’s electricity usage has expanded considerably over time. He noted that at the point his government assumed office, demand stood at approximately 3,500 megawatts, whereas current peak usage has climbed to nearly 4,300 megawatts.
He clarified that this upward trend is largely influenced by heightened investment inflows and intensified economic operations, thereby making it essential to enlarge production capacity in order to guarantee a consistent and dependable electricity supply across the country.
In his remarks, he emphasized that the expansion is necessary to ensure reserve capacity within the system so that supply remains stable even during periods of strain or disruption.
The President further revealed that both the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance have finalized the project blueprint as well as its implementation framework, effectively clearing the path for construction activities to begin.
Beyond satisfying internal consumption, he pointed out that the surplus electricity generated will enable Ghana to supply power to neighboring states such as Burkina Faso, thereby earning foreign exchange and strengthening regional energy cooperation.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to initiating the project within the year, expressing confidence in its timely commencement.
The proposed facility is anticipated to serve as a critical pillar in stabilizing the nation’s electricity distribution system while also advancing industrial expansion and enhancing cross border energy trade within the sub region.
