Ghana has begun processes to develop a national energy transition policy and strategy that will assist the West African nation to contain the shocks of the global energy transition drive.
In December last year, the country, through the Energy Ministry, set up a national energy transition Committee chaired by Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, one of the three deputy Energy Ministers, to carry out consultations for the drafting of the Energy Transition Policy and Strategy.
At a maiden stakeholders’ forum in Accra, capital of Ghana, on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia noted that Energy Transition is already happening, saying: “We are seeing petroleum hikes and there are many who have said that the petroleum price increase is going to remain as such high levels, we are not going to see any major declines, then how do we as developing countries like Ghana adjusts to this new reality if it becomes the new normal of high oil prices and petroleum prices and its impact on the macro variable in our respective economies.”
He noted that in some advanced countries, automobile companies have set targets of ceasing the production of fossil fuel-based vehicles to electric vehicles.
He said Ghana cannot sit and watch when the transition is already happening.
“It is clear that we need to have a plan. In many of the advanced countries, targets have been set.
“We should set a target about what we should be doing,” Dr. Bawumia said.
As part of an effort to achieve Ghana’s nationally determined contributions under the Paris Climate Change Compact, Dr. Bawumia said Ghana is shifting from thermal-based electricity generation to gas-based electricity generation.
He said Ghana would expand its gas pipeline infrastructure across the country to increase LPG consumption.
He added, “We shall increase the share of renewable into our energy mix such as wind and solar.”
Dr Bawumia, who said today’s forum would be replicated in the other regions of Ghana, urged the participants to provide meaningful contributions and input in preparation for the national energy transition plan.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com