By Kodjo Adams 
Accra, July 30, GNA – Mr Richard Gyan-Mensah, Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, says sustainable electricity utilities in Africa require sound governance, financial stability, reliable infrastructure and strategic investment to achieve universal access and resilience.
Regional cooperation through the West African Power Pool and the emerging African single electricity markets would also enable utilities to optimise resources, improve reliability and attract investment across the continent.
Mr Gyan-Mensah said this at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) in Accra, hosted by the Volta River Authority (VRA).
The four-day meeting is on the theme: “Accelerating Africa’s Electricity Market Integration: Advancing Regulatory Readiness, Regional Market Development and Strategic Partnerships”.
Mr Gyan-Mensah said Ghana’s electricity transmission capacity remained above 99.5 per cent, adding: “These are not just a business; they represent business power, effort, hospitals, industries’ expansion, and lives’ transformation.”
He said the Government had paid about GH¢1.4 billion towards legacy debts owed to Independent Power Producers and fuel suppliers since the assumption of office of the current administration.
“We have been able to secure over 250 million dollars in savings through the PPA renegotiation and restore the $500 million World Bank partial risk guarantee for the Sankofa gas project and strengthen the cash waterfall mechanism,” he said.
Mr Gyan-Mensah said the VRA continued to supply nearly 2,550 megawatts of electricity from its diversified hydro, thermal and renewable energy portfolio.
He said renewable energy capacity had increased from 205 megawatts to 283 megawatts.
“We are implementing our first competitive flow of a 200-megawatt battery energy storage system with solar PV charging plants, alongside a 200-megawatt utility-scale solar project,” he said.
Mr Gyan-Mensah said Ghana was prepared to share its experience in financial reforms, competitive procurement, battery storage, grid modernisation and regional power trade, while learning from other African utilities.
Mr Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, Chief Executive of the VRA, said the meeting would strengthen collaboration among African utilities and support the delivery of affordable and reliable electricity across the region.
He said nuclear and renewable energy should be regarded as complementary pillars of energy security, climate resilience, green industrialisation and regional electricity market integration.
Mr Obeng-Kenzo said Ghana’s 24-hour economy agenda sought to accelerate economic growth through reliable and affordable electricity to support mining, manufacturing and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Mr Abel Didier Tella, Director-General of APUA, called for stronger collaboration among
African utilities to accelerate the transformation of the continent’s electricity sector.
“We need to transform our mindset to ensure economic growth and power the industries for sustainable development,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Kodjo Adams