Ghana’s power sector regulator, the Energy Commission, in collaboration with GIZ, has launched the Public Facility Sustainable Energy Action Plan (PF-SEAP) in Accra.
The initiative is a strategic intervention aimed at accelerating renewable energy adoption, improving energy efficiency, and significantly reducing carbon emissions across the public sector.
The PF-SEAP targets Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which are among the country’s largest electricity consumers.
By improving energy management in public facilities, the programme seeks to reduce operational costs and address mounting utility arrears that have strained Ghana’s power sector finances.
An Institutional Technical Committee for the PF-SEAP, comprising representatives from key ministries, technical institutions and development partners, has been established to spearhead the implementation of the programme.
The committee will identify and oversee the implementation of renewable energy and energy-efficiency measures, strengthen stakeholder engagement, ensure compliance with sustainable energy policies, and promote data-driven decision-making.
Launching the initiative, Deputy Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. Richard Gyan-Mensah, described the PF-SEAP as a timely response to rising electricity consumption and escalating unpaid utility bills within the public sector.
He stressed that sustainable energy is a critical development indicator and noted that affordable and reliable electricity is essential for socio-economic growth, investment attraction, education and quality healthcare delivery.
Hon. Gyan-Mensah acknowledged the progress made in expanding electricity access and generation capacity but cautioned that significant financial and operational challenges remain, particularly the issue of unpaid electricity bills by public institutions.
He highlighted government reforms aimed at improving revenue mobilisation and enforcement, including directives to disconnect non-paying institutions and migrate public facilities to prepayment metering systems, with the exception of critical national installations.
According to him, these measures are intended to strengthen revenue collection, reduce arrears, and improve the financial sustainability of electricity distribution utilities, which is crucial for maintaining supply reliability and supporting infrastructure expansion.
Acting Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Adwoa Serwaa Bondzie, reiterated that public institutions are major energy consumers and that improving energy efficiency is essential to national development.
She noted that the PF-SEAP complements existing initiatives such as the Net Metering Programme and the Accelerator Solar Action Programme by helping institutions reduce energy waste, lower operating costs and transition to cleaner energy sources.
Bondzie urged the Technical Committee to prioritise practical and measurable interventions while securing sustainable financing and strong institutional commitment for the programme’s success.
She added that the initiative aligns with the government’s 24-hour economy and industrialisation agenda, emphasizing that a modern economy depends on reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.
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