By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, July 16, GNA – The Energy Commission is introducing energy efficiency requirements into Ghana’s building permit system to reduce electricity consumption and promote sustainable construction.
The measure will integrate energy efficiency standards into building permit administration and development control processes of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) nationwide.
The initiative was announced at a Training and Consultation Workshop on Integrating Energy Efficiency into Ghana’s Building Permit System held in Accra.
The Commission said the move formed part of efforts to support Ghana’s sustainable development agenda and climate commitments by ensuring that new buildings met energy-saving standards.
It said it had developed a Building Energy Efficiency Guideline under GS 1207:2018, which provides prescriptive, performance-based and certification-based compliance pathways for different categories of buildings.
The Commission has also proposed revisions to the Local Government Service Operational Manual to incorporate energy efficiency requirements into building permit approval and development control processes.
Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), said the initiative would make energy efficiency an integral part of planning, design and construction.
He said the growing concentration of residential, commercial and public infrastructure in Greater Accra required deliberate measures to promote sustainable and energy-efficient development.
“Energy efficiency is no longer treated as an option but becomes an integral component of our planning, design and construction processes,” he said.
Rev. Owoo urged physical planners, engineers, architects, building inspectors and other professionals in the built environment to incorporate energy-saving principles into their work.
“Whether we are constructing schools, hospitals, markets, office complexes or other public facilities, we must adopt designs and technologies that reduce energy consumption while improving comfort, efficiency and long-term operational costs,” he said.
Rev. Owoo said planning decisions taken today would influence the sustainability of Ghana’s cities and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to support implementation.
Mr Chris Nanabanyin Yalley, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, said the building sector was among the largest consumers of electricity in Ghana.
He said heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems accounted for about 50 per cent of electricity costs in air-conditioned buildings.
Mr Yalley said the initiative was based on the Building Energy Efficiency Guideline developed under GS 1207:2018 and included proposed updates to the Local Government Service Operational Manual to strengthen enforcement.
He said successful implementation could lead to a 20 per cent reduction in building energy consumption within five years.
Mr Yalley said the reduction would lower energy costs for households, businesses and public institutions while contributing to Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Jibril Abdul Mumuni