Ghana’s electricity regulator has signalled an urgent push to expand generation capacity as rising demand outstrips official projections, driven by economic recovery and improved power stability.
The Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Shaffic Suleman, disclosed that electricity consumption is growing significantly faster than the anticipated 8 per cent annual rate.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Dr Suleman explained that renewed confidence in the economy and stable power supply have triggered a surge in previously suppressed demand, with more consumers and businesses coming on stream.
“We are now consuming more power beyond what has been projected,” he noted, stressing that both base load and peak load dynamics are shifting in ways the system has not previously experienced.
The development comes as government advances plans for a full-scale 24-hour economy — a policy initiative championed by John Dramani Mahama. According to Dr Suleman, preparations are underway to ensure the energy sector can support the anticipated industrial expansion.
He revealed that the President and the Minister for Energy, John Jinapor, are actively working to add new generation capacity to reinforce the grid, particularly between 2027 and 2029 when demand is expected to intensify further.
While assuring that power supply is currently stable and sufficient, the PURC boss acknowledged that meeting future demand will require swift infrastructure expansion.
He also highlighted demand-side management measures such as the Time of Use system, which is designed to shift electricity consumption from peak to off-peak periods to ease pressure on the grid under a 24-hour operational model.
The regulator’s warning underscores the growing link between Ghana’s economic ambitions and the need for accelerated investment in energy infrastructure to sustain long-term growth.
