ASEC Director Urges Ghana to Overcome Barriers to Harness Renewable Energy Potential

Ghana possesses significant renewable energy potential, particularly in wind and solar power, but its progress is being hindered by persistent technical, policy, and investment challenges, according to the Executive Director of the Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC), Ing. Justice OheneAkoto, 

Speaking on JoyNews’ Market Place on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Ing. Ohene-Akoto explained that ASEC’s latest research shows Ghana falls within a highly viable wind zone, between wind banks two and six, positioning the country as an ideal candidate for large-scale renewable energy development.

He noted that Ghana enjoys strong solar irradiance in addition to its wind potential, offering ample opportunity to expand clean energy generation and reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels. However, several critical barriers continue to impede the sector’s full development.

Among these, Ing. Ohene-Akoto highlighted technical issues such as grid instability when integrating solar energy, policy gaps that discourage private investors, and the lack of innovative business models tailored to the renewable sector. He also warned that improper integration of electric vehicles could further strain the national grid.

To overcome these setbacks, he urged authorities to focus on four priority areas: technological innovation, comprehensive policy reforms, the creation of sustainable investment frameworks, and environmentally conscious practices.

Ing. Ohene-Akoto emphasized that with the right strategies, Ghana could not only achieve energy security but also emerge as a regional leader in clean and renewable energy across Africa. He concluded that sustainable growth in the energy sector depends on bold reforms that align technology, policy, and environment in harmony.