Jinapor Unveils 2030 Renewable Energy Ambition

The government has set a target of increasing Ghana’s renewable energy penetration to at least 10 per cent by 2030, as it intensifies efforts to diversify the country’s energy mix and build a more sustainable and financially resilient power sector. Minister for Energy and Green Transitions, John Jinapor, said the target would require sustained policy, regulatory and investment support to accelerate the development of clean energy, strengthen the national electricity grid and address persistent financial challenges within the energy value chain.

He said the government’s renewable energy ambitions could not be achieved through generation capacity alone, stressing that improved revenue mobilisation, prudent financial management and stronger payment discipline were equally critical to maintaining the stability of the sector. Mr Jinapor made the remarks at the Annual Stakeholders Meeting of the Bui Power Authority (BPA), where stakeholders assessed the Authority’s performance and discussed strategies to strengthen Ghana’s transition towards a more resilient, sustainable and low-carbon energy system.

The Minister said the government remained committed to creating the policy and regulatory environment required to attract investment into renewable energy and expand the country’s clean-energy capacity. He noted that achieving at least 10 per cent renewable energy penetration by 2030 would require coordinated action involving government, energy-sector institutions, private investors and other stakeholders.

“As Government works towards achieving at least 10% renewable energy penetration by 2030, we remain committed to providing the policy, regulatory and investment support needed to accelerate clean energy development, strengthen our electricity grid and ensure a financially sustainable energy sector,” he said. The target places greater emphasis on renewable sources such as solar and other clean-energy technologies as Ghana seeks to reduce pressure on conventional power generation while improving the resilience of its electricity supply. However, Mr Jinapor cautioned that the transition would require more than the installation of renewable energy facilities.

According to the Minister, the financial health of the energy sector must remain central to the country’s transition plans. He said weak revenue collection, payment challenges and poor financial management could undermine investments in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, regardless of the progress made in renewable energy development. “This must be complemented by improved revenue collection, prudent financial management and stronger payment discipline across the energy value chain to safeguard the sector’s long-term sustainability and enable continued investment in critical infrastructure,” he said.

The Minister’s warning highlights the importance of ensuring that increased investment in clean energy is matched by reforms capable of strengthening the financial position of institutions operating across the electricity supply chain. A financially sustainable sector, he suggested, would be better positioned to maintain existing infrastructure, finance new projects and respond to emerging energy demands without placing undue pressure on public finances.

Mr Jinapor commended the BPA for its performance in 2025, describing the Authority’s achievements as an indication of the potential of renewable energy to play a greater role in meeting Ghana’s future electricity needs. Among the achievements highlighted were the Authority’s performance above its clean-energy generation target, expansion of its solar capacity and the commissioning of battery energy storage facilities. The Minister also cited the Authority’s strong financial performance and safety record as important indicators of its operational progress.

The government’s renewable energy target comes against the backdrop of the broader challenge of ensuring that Ghana’s electricity system remains reliable while the country gradually increases its dependence on cleaner sources. Mr Jinapor therefore stressed that the transition must be supported by investment in the wider electricity infrastructure, particularly the national grid. A stronger grid would be necessary to accommodate additional renewable generation and ensure that power produced from new clean-energy projects can be transmitted efficiently to consumers. He said government would continue engaging industry stakeholders to create the conditions required to expand renewable energy while addressing the financial and infrastructure constraints facing the sector.

The Minister emphasized that Ghana’s energy transition should not be measured solely by the amount of renewable electricity generated. He said the country would also need financially and operationally resilient institutions capable of sustaining investments and maintaining critical infrastructure over the long term. The approach places financial discipline, revenue collection and payment compliance alongside renewable energy expansion as key components of Ghana’s energy strategy.

For the 2030 target to be achieved, sustained investment, effective regulation, reliable infrastructure and sound financial management will therefore have to advance together.

By: Joyce Owusu