Charging Stations Face Regulation As Mahama Protects Grid

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a decisive regulatory intervention in Accra to govern the establishment of electric vehicle charging stations across Ghana, mandating prior approval to safeguard the stability of the national electricity distribution network and prevent systemic imbalance.

The directive mandates that investors secure authorisation from the Energy Commission before installing any charging infrastructure, a move designed to align rapid electric mobility adoption with grid capacity, transformer resilience and substation readiness. According to President Mahama, the uncontrolled proliferation of fast-charging facilities risks overloading localised feeders and precipitating power disruptions for industrial and domestic consumers.

The President disclosed that the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition is finalising a comprehensive electric vehicle policy that will be presented to Cabinet before legislative instruments are promulgated to guide private sector participation. He emphasised that solar-powered charging hubs will be incentivised to reduce dependency on the conventional grid while accelerating decarbonisation. Energy and Green Transition Minister Dr John Abdulai Jinapor warned that modern ultra-fast chargers capable of replenishing batteries within five to ten minutes draw enormous instantaneous load, explaining that people set up EV charging stations and immediately the transformer gets blown.

Stakeholders indicate that Ghana now ranks among Africa top adopters of electric vehicles due to fuel cost savings and environmental imperatives, yet uncoordinated installations have triggered transformer failures and voltage fluctuations in peri urban zones. The proposed licensing regime will cover manufacturing, importation, installation and operation, while mandating grid impact assessments in collaboration with Electricity Company of Ghana and Ghana Grid Company.

The Energy Commission has already gazetted standards for charging equipment and completed nationwide consultations on draft regulations, with legal review currently underway at the Attorney General Department. Government plans to roll out charging infrastructure along strategic corridors such as Accra-Kumasi and Kumasi-Tamale, converting existing fuel stations into multi energy hubs with solar integration.

The intervention underscores a broader energy security doctrine prioritising reliable supply for industrial transformation while fostering green mobility. Administration officials project deployment of one thousand charging points by 2028, ensuring that electric vehicle expansion complements national competitiveness without compromising household and enterprise access to stable electricity.

Source: #Howedey.com
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Author: Korkor Anumu