This artifact is a paper written by Kumi (2017) and commissioned by the Center for Global Development in a bid to obtain a better understanding of Ghana’s context, and the role of international actors with respect to energy: specifically, electrification. Despite the doubling of installed generation capacity over the past decade due to increased demand for electricity, there are still glaring power supply challenges owing to the fact that most of these installed generation facilities are unavailable for generation due to fuel supply shortages. This paper attributed the key causes of these challenges experienced to significant losses in the distribution system due to the use of outdated equipment; the inability of consumers to pay the revenue due for the use of energy services; overdependence on thermal and hydro sources for electricity generation as well as the existence of poor tariff structure that prevent utility companies from recouping costs incurred during electricity production.
It concludes with a positive outlook that, investing in alternative renewable energy sources to diversify means of electricity generation (which is very feasible because Ghana is endowed with natural resources); promoting and strengthening energy efficiency programs as well as restructuring the tariff and prepaid metering system could help alleviate the issue of energy poverty in Ghana.
Source
Kumi, E. N. (2017). The Electricity Situation in Ghana: Challenges and Opportunities.” CGD Policy Paper. Washington, DC: Center for Global Development. Retrieved on 5/28/2020 from:
Ebenezer Nyarko Kumi, "The Electricity Situation in Ghana: Challenges and Opportunities", contributed by Barbara Ackun, The Energy Rights Project, Platform for Experimental Collaborative Ethnography, last modified 29 May 2020, accessed 3 December 2024. https://energyrights.info/content/electricity-situation-ghana-challenges-and-opportunities
Critical Commentary
This artifact is a paper written by Kumi (2017) and commissioned by the Center for Global Development in a bid to obtain a better understanding of Ghana’s context, and the role of international actors with respect to energy: specifically, electrification. Despite the doubling of installed generation capacity over the past decade due to increased demand for electricity, there are still glaring power supply challenges owing to the fact that most of these installed generation facilities are unavailable for generation due to fuel supply shortages. This paper attributed the key causes of these challenges experienced to significant losses in the distribution system due to the use of outdated equipment; the inability of consumers to pay the revenue due for the use of energy services; overdependence on thermal and hydro sources for electricity generation as well as the existence of poor tariff structure that prevent utility companies from recouping costs incurred during electricity production.
It concludes with a positive outlook that, investing in alternative renewable energy sources to diversify means of electricity generation (which is very feasible because Ghana is endowed with natural resources); promoting and strengthening energy efficiency programs as well as restructuring the tariff and prepaid metering system could help alleviate the issue of energy poverty in Ghana.