The Ghanaian government is set to acquire 1,200 megawatts (MW) of combined-cycle thermal power capacity by 2029. This initiative aims to reduce electricity costs and enhance the reliability of the nation’s power supply.
Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, emphasized that this initiative is designed to provide the country with additional generation capacity while simultaneously lowering energy expenses for both households and businesses.
During his address at the 2026 Future of Energy Conference, Dr. Jinapor outlined the government’s ambitious plan to develop this thermal capacity utilizing a combined-cycle system. He characterized the project as a potential transformative force within Ghana’s energy landscape and noted that government projections suggest the new capacity could be operational by 2029.
The Minister highlighted the critical importance of increasing domestic generation capacity in achieving a financially sustainable power sector, which in turn would enhance the competitiveness of Ghanaian industries. However, he recognized the challenge of fulfilling the country’s power demands from now until 2029 without inadvertently creating excess capacity or incurring additional financial obligations once the new plants are operational.
To address this, Dr. Jinapor indicated that his ministry is collaborating with various stakeholders, including energy sector experts, to devise an interim power strategy that would satisfy immediate electricity needs while avoiding costly long-term commitments.
He elaborated that while Ghana requires additional power in the short term, any interim arrangement must be meticulously structured to prevent becoming a financial liability when the government’s own generation capacity is expected to come online in 2029.
Furthermore, the Minister explained that the 1,200MW project is part of broader reforms
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