The Energy Commission of Ghana aims to reduce building energy consumption by 20% within the next five years. This significant cut will be achieved by fully integrating energy efficiency requirements into local government permitting processes. This initiative addresses the building sector's substantial electricity usage, a major concern for Ghana's energy security.
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems alone account for approximately 50% of electricity costs in air-conditioned buildings. The new measures will mandate energy-efficient designs and construction practices for all new developments. This will help manage the country's growing energy demand, especially in rapidly urbanizing areas like Greater Accra.
This target aligns with Ghana's broader economic and environmental commitments. The country is a signatory to the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming. It also supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13, focusing on affordable and clean energy and climate action. Reducing energy consumption in buildings will contribute to a more sustainable energy future for Ghana.
Chris Nanabanyin Yalley, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, highlighted the urgency of this shift. He stated that energy efficiency is no longer optional but an essential part of every building development project. This statement was made at a training workshop for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly (MMDA) staff in Accra on July 15. The workshop aimed to operationalize new energy efficiency workflows.
The Commission developed the Building Energy Efficiency Guideline based on GS 1207:2018. This guideline promotes energy-efficient building design and construction. It introduces three compliance pathways: Prescriptive, Performance-Based, and Certification-Based. These pathways ensure buildings of different categories meet appropriate energy performance requirements.
To ensure effective implementation, the Commission has updated the Local Government Service Operational Manual. This update embeds energy efficiency workflows within the building permitting and development control processes of MMDAs. This systematic approach ensures that energy-saving principles are considered from the initial planning stages.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has provided technical and financial support for this initiative. This support includes stakeholder sensitization, training programs, and the development of implementation tools. These tools include the creation of Energy Efficiency Champions within MMDAs, who will drive local adoption.
Linda Ocloo, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, emphasized the need for deliberate integration of energy efficiency. Her statement, delivered by Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, underscored the region's high energy consumption. Greater Accra, as the national capital, accounts for a significant proportion of the country’s energy use.
Ms. Ocloo described the Energy Commission’s initiative as commendable. She noted it would make energy efficiency an integral component of planning, design, and construction processes. This move shifts energy efficiency from an option to a mandatory requirement. Technical officers, including physical planners, engineers, architects, and building inspectors, are challenged to incorporate energy-saving principles in public infrastructure. This includes schools, hospitals, and markets, to reduce consumption and operational costs.
The successful implementation of these guidelines could lead to substantial savings in electricity costs for both individuals and the government. It will also reduce the strain on Ghana's national power grid. This initiative represents a crucial step towards a more energy-secure and environmentally responsible Ghana.