2027 to test renewable energy ambitions

By Kizito CUDJOE

The government is preparing to move the country’s renewable energy agenda beyond pilot projects and policy commitments into a commercially driven expansion phase from 2027, betting on solar, wind and clean industrial power to reduce dependence on costly thermal generation and strengthen long-term energy security.

The planned transition, being championed by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, is expected to focus on utility-scale solar projects, battery storage systems, mini-grids, rooftop solar deployment and electric mobility infrastructure.

But the push comes at a delicate moment for the power sector, which continues to struggle with mounting debt, transmission bottlenecks and recurring concerns over grid stability, raising questions about whether the country can translate renewable energy ambitions into large-scale commercial execution.

As of January 2026, the government paid US$1.47 billion to clear legacy energy-sector debts to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and gas suppliers, restoring World Bank guarantees.

In an exclusive interview with the Business and Financial Times (B&FT), Director of Renewable at the Ministry of Energy, Seth Manu, said the Ministry’s expanded mandate is intended to give greater policy focus and momentum to the country’s transition agenda.

“We are investing heavily in renewable energy. Currently, several solar projects are under construction, and we expect them to come online between 2027 and 2028, contributing significantly to Ghana’s energy mix,” he said.

According to him, the Ministry is also pursuing wind energy development, with feasibility studies ongoing at selected locations across the country.

“At the same time, we are investing in transmission infrastructure to ensure the seamless integration of these renewable energy assets into the national grid,” he added.

Mr. Manu indicated that the government’s renewable energy strategy extends beyond electricity generation, with efforts underway to decarbonise sectors such as agriculture, water supply and industry.

“In agriculture, for example, we are collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to deploy renewable energy solutions to support irrigation systems nationwide. This initiative is intended to improve food security and help control inflation, because food inflation remains one of the biggest contributors to the country’s overall inflation basket,” he explained.

“This vision is to position energy as a catalyst for the productive sectors of the economy. We believe this will help decarbonise the economy while also improving food production and affordability.”

The Ministry is also deploying renewable energy systems to support water treatment and distribution in underserved communities.

“We are also working to decarbonise the water sector. Treating water for domestic and commercial use requires significant energy, so we are deploying renewable energy solutions to support community and small-town water systems,” he said.

According to him, projects are already underway in parts of the Savannah and Central Regions, with plans to scale the interventions nationwide as the government works to improve access to potable water under the Sustainable Development Goals.

The government is further encouraging industries and households to adopt distributed renewable energy systems to reduce pressure on the national grid.

One of the flagship interventions under this strategy is the Solar Net Metering Programme being implemented under the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Programme (SREP).

“This initiative allows households and businesses to invest in solar energy systems connected to the national grid. Excess power generated can be exported to the grid and credited back to the owner under a contractual arrangement,” Mr. Manu said.

He noted that the programme is expected to unlock investment opportunities in renewable energy across industries and commercial facilities while improving the resilience of the national electricity network.

“These are just some of the interventions we are implementing to support Ghana’s energy transition agenda. I can assure you that we are on course. With the support of the Finance Ministry, several strategic projects are currently being implemented, and within the next 12 to 24 months, Ghanaians will begin to see tangible results,” he stated.

The Ministry is also pushing industries to invest in captive renewable energy systems for their own operations as part of efforts to reduce dependence on conventional power sources.

“We are introducing several innovations, particularly within the clean captive and industrial energy space. This means businesses are being encouraged to invest heavily in renewable energy for their own use,” he said.

Among the government’s largest planned renewable projects is the solar development at the Dawa Industrial Park, where approval has been granted for a 200-megawatt solar park expected to power industrial operations.

“A good example is the Dawa Industrial Park project, where approval has been granted for a 200-megawatt solar park, which could eventually be scaled up to between 1,000 and 1,200 megawatts,” Mr. Manu disclosed.

“The project is already under construction, and we are hopeful that the first 100-megawatt phase will be commissioned by the end of next year.”

While officials remain optimistic, some industry experts say that financing constraints and the power sector’s fragile financial position could still undermine the country’s renewable energy ambitions.

The transition is also unfolding against the backdrop of continued dependence on thermal generation and recent grid disruptions, including the Akosombo Control Room Fire Incident, which exposed vulnerabilities within the country’s electricity infrastructure.

Still, the Ministry insists the foundations are being laid for what could become the country’s most ambitious renewable energy expansion drive in decades.

“That is why I remain optimistic that within the next 12 to 24 months, Ghana will witness significant investment in the green energy space and broader energy transition efforts,” Mr. Manu said.

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