The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Power officially launched the Integrated Resource and Resilience Planning (IRRP) project on September 13. At the launch, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson and Deputy Minister of Power, John Abu Jinapor expressed their commitment to improve the sustainability and efficiency of Ghana’s power system.

Under the U.S. government’s Power Africa Initiative, USAID will support the Ghana Government to develop a comprehensive power sector master plan through the IRRP project. The Energy Commission, which is the mandated agency for energy planning, will be the focal institution for the IRRP project. Other key stakeholders include the Volta River Authority (VRA), Bui Power Authority (BPA), Grid Company of Ghana (GRIDCo), Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) and several others.

“Through the project, we will work with the Ghanaian government to improve power sector planning, establish transmission and distribution infrastructure, and increase Ghana’s generation capacity,” remarked Ambassador Jackson.” We will do so while promoting cleaner, more efficient and more cost-effective energy.  Together, we will help Ghana move towards low emissions and low carbon investments, build Ghana’s resiliency to climate change, and safeguard Ghana’s environment for the long term.”

The project is designed to be highly collaborative and aims to transfer skills and knowledge to Ghanaian stakeholders. A Steering Committee comprised of Ghanaian power, petroleum, environment and finance sectors, will guide, coordinate and review the project’s activities.