Ghana electricity generation declined by 3.99% in July 2026 as output from thermal plants fell and seasonal conditions reduced demand, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission has reported.
Total power generated dropped from 2,413.30 gigawatt hours in June to 2,317.13 gigawatt hours in July, according to the Commission’s Ghana Electricity Supply Fact Sheet.
The monthly decline did not erase the broader increase in supply. Generation remained 6.20% higher than the level recorded in July 2025.
“Generation remained resilient, however the intermittent decline in generation highlights the need to closely monitor generation availability and fuel supply to ensure reliable electricity supply,” the report said.
Thermal plants supply three quarters of power
Thermal plants generated 1,722.33 gigawatt hours during July, providing 74.33% of Ghana’s electricity.
Thermal output fell by 4.99% from June but was 11.25% higher than a year earlier. The figures reinforce how closely national power supply remains tied to the availability and cost of natural gas and other fuels.
Karpowership was the largest thermal contributor, producing 311.72 gigawatt hours. Sunon Asogli followed with 284.61 gigawatt hours, while TICO and Cenpower supplied 232.51 and 206.27 gigawatt hours respectively.
Hydropower contributed 579.45 gigawatt hours, accounting for 25.01% of total generation. Its output was almost unchanged from June but 7.41% lower than in July 2025.
Akosombo remained Ghana’s leading hydroelectric plant with 435.53 gigawatt hours. Kpong produced 83.91 gigawatt hours, followed by Bui with 60.01 gigawatt hours.
Solar contributed just 15.35 gigawatt hours, or 0.66% of the national generation mix.
Output from solar plants declined by 13.76% from June. Compared with July 2025, however, generation rose by 96.26%.
The rapid annual growth is notable, but solar’s small share means it is not yet large enough to reduce Ghana’s dependence on thermal generation in a significant way.
Reserve margin remains above benchmark
Peak electricity demand reached 3,968 megawatts in July. That was below the annual high recorded in April but 6.61% above the level seen a year earlier.
Installed capacity stood at 5,818 megawatts, while dependable capacity was reported at 4,968 megawatts. The PURC placed the available capacity surplus at 988 megawatts and the reserve margin at 24.82%, above the 18% system adequacy benchmark.
That buffer suggests the system had enough dependable capacity to meet peak demand and respond to some unexpected disruptions.
Capacity on paper is only part of the story, though. Plants still need reliable fuel, functioning equipment and a stable transmission network before that capacity can reach consumers.
The PURC warned that heavy reliance on thermal power exposes Ghana to fuel supply disruptions, foreign exchange pressure and volatile international energy prices.
It recommended faster investment in renewable energy to diversify the mix. With thermal plants supplying nearly three quarters of electricity, Ghana’s power system still has most of its eggs in one expensive basket.
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