2 weeks Ago By News Ghana
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/solar-overreliance-risks-ghanas-24-hour-economy-expert-cautions/A Ghanaian energy expert has warned that excessive dependence on solar power could destabilize the government’s flagship plan to establish a 24-hour economy, urging policymakers to prioritize a diversified energy portfolio.
Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, a sustainable energy consultant and former Director of Renewable Energy at the Bui Power Authority, cautioned that Ghana’s target of sourcing 82% of its energy from solar is “ambitious but not material” to meet industrial demands for round-the-clock operations.Speaking at a public lecture, Ahiataku-Togobo advocated integrating cleaner coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy into the national grid to ensure reliability. “Affordable, uninterrupted electricity is the backbone of a 24-hour economy.
We must triple generation capacity and adopt a pragmatic energy mix,” he said. His remarks come as Ghana’s peak electricity demand rose to 3,952 megawatts in December 2024, a 9.2% year-on-year increase driven by industrial and residential growth.
Responding to these concerns, Dr. Ishmael Nii Amanor Dodoo of the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Exports Secretariat confirmed ongoing government reforms to stabilize the energy sector. Describing the initiative as a “transformative agenda,” Dodoo emphasized plans to build a resilient, diversified system aligned with regional trade goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Our focus is on infrastructure that powers sustainable growth, job creation, and competitiveness,” he stated.The debate highlights tensions between Ghana’s renewable energy ambitions and the practical demands of industrial expansion. While solar adoption aligns with global climate commitments, critics argue that grid instability and storage limitations make it insufficient for base-load power.
Neighboring countries like Nigeria and South Africa have faced similar challenges, balancing fossil fuel reliance with renewable investments amid rising energy needs.Ghana’s energy strategy now faces critical scrutiny as it navigates competing priorities: achieving carbon neutrality by 2070 while supporting an economy poised to operate nonstop. The government’s next policy moves may determine whether it can reconcile environmental targets with the urgent infrastructure demands of a round-the-clock industrial vision.
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/solar-overreliance-risks-ghanas-24-hour-economy-expert-cautions/.
