AfricaEnergyParks Hosts National Forum on Microgrids and Minigrids for Off-Grid Electrification in Ghana
The AfricaEnergyParks (AEP) Consortium, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition (MoEn>) and the Forestry Commission (FC), hosted the National Forum on Microgrids and Minigrids for Off-Grid Electrification in Ghana. Held at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, in Accra, on February 18, the event brought together stakeholders from across the energy sector, policy makers, and international representatives to discuss accelerating energy access through decentralized renewable energy systems.
The forum’s theme focused on “Accelerating Energy Access Through Decentralised Renewable Energy Systems”, a vital topic for Ghana’s rural electrification and green energy transition. The event marked a significant step towards achieving the government’s off-grid electrification vision and highlighted the role that mini-grids and microgrids will play in transforming rural communities.
The forum kicked off with remarks from Dr. Kwabena Donkor, former Minister of Power, Ghana, setting the stage for the day’s discussions. Notable contributions included a special address on the water-energy-food-environment nexus by the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission and a keynote address on Ghana’s off-grid electrification vision by the Hon. Minister of Energy and Green Transition.
A session focusing on national policy and regulatory landscapes for mini-grids, tariff regulation, and consumer protection provided essential insights into the enabling environment needed for off-grid energy solutions. Key speakers included the Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission and representatives from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission and the Africa Development Bank.
The AfricaEnergyParks Consortium shared lessons from their ongoing projects, emphasizing community engagement and the CREMA model for social acceptance. A roadmap for integrating mini grids into national electrification planning was presented, alongside discussions on the productive use of energy and clean cooking solutions for rural communities.
Ghana’s national electricity access rate currently stands at 89.03 per cent, leaving about 3.5 million people, largely in remote island and lakeside communities, without reliable power supply.
AfricaEnergyParks remains a pivotal initiative, helping to address Africa’s energy access challenges while fostering green energy transitions through collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships.