The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has begun rolling out 23,500 solar-powered streetlights nationwide in a move aimed at cutting peak electricity demand by up to 300 megawatts, Energy Minister John Jinapor announced Wednesday.
The initiative, part of a broader effort to improve energy efficiency and reduce dependence on grid-based power, will see all-in-one solar streetlights installed along 700 kilometers of roadways. The program targets one of the national grid’s most under-addressed burdens: public street lighting during peak demand hours.
“Streetlights, which depend largely on the national grid, come on during the peak period, creating additional strain,” Mr. Jinapor said during the Government Accountability Series in Accra. “These alone account for more than 200 megawatts of load. Transitioning them to solar will shave off between 200 and 300 megawatts from the grid.”
The energy savings, he noted, could help stabilize power supply during high-demand windows and free up capacity for residential and industrial use.
The government’s new solar streetlight project aligns with a broader energy transition plan under the Mahama administration, which seeks to reduce Ghana’s reliance on fossil fuels while expanding access to clean, decentralized power solutions.
“This is a critical part of our strategy to shift focus to renewables and reduce inefficiencies in our energy system,” Mr. Jinapor added.
