Ghana's Energy Sector Policies, Analysis With Facts And Future Projection With Machine Learning

  Ghana’s energy sector has been plagued by financial instability for decades, after shifting from a hydro-dominant system to a thermal-heavy structure with high operational costs. This transition coupled with inefficient contracts, and electricity tariffs set below cost-recovery levels , has led to an unsustainable debt burden. Ghana's energy sector is financially unsustainable ( Energy Commission, 2019) . Tariffs are pricing structures which determines how much you pay for your electricity usage. Origins of the Energy Debt Crisis Before 1997 : A Stable Hydro-Based System Ghana relied primarily on hydropower from the Akosombo  and Kpong Dams , which provided cheap and reliable electricity .  Read about the history of the Ghanaian energy sector Electricity tariffs were low, yet the Volta River Authority (VRA) operated profitably because hydroelectricity had minimal costs. 1997–2011 : Growing Demand and the Shift to Thermal Power As Ghana’s economy expanded, electricity...

Power generation remains  key to Ghana’s economy, driving industries, powering homes and supporting livelihoods. Over the decades, Ghana has relied on two main sources of energy generation: initially hydroelectric and later thermal power plants . While each plays a critical role, they come with unique advantages and operational challenges. Hydropower in Ghana: The Akosombo Dam Legacy Ghana’s journey in electricity generation began with the iconic Akosombo Dam, built on the Volta River in the 1960s. This hydropower plant has been a cornerstone of the country’s energy supply, providing clean and renewable electricity for decades. The Akosombo Dam, along with the smaller Kpong Dam (constructed in the 1980s) and the Bui Dam, harnesses the energy of flowing water to drive turbines that generate electricity. Hydropower has been instrumental in Ghana’s economic development, offering an affordable and sustainable energy source. However, hydropower is heavily dependent on rainfall, which...