Ghana is set to launch its net metering system, which would enable households and businesses to generate electricity from solar and wind power, after 14 years of delays.
Under the net metering system, excess electricity is fed into the national grid and credited against future bills, allowing consumers to offset costs.
The nationwide rollout begins in September 2025, Mr Frederick Ken Appiah, Director of Renewable Energy at the Energy Commission, announced at a renewable energy conference in Accra.
The event, organised by the Energy Service Centre (ESC) of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), was on the theme “Powering Ghana’s Industry Through Sustainable Energy.”
Ghana’s net metering journey started with the Renewable Energy Act of 2011, but despite a Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) announcement for a December 22 launch, it never materialised.
“I’m glad to announce that this year, we are beginning the much-awaited net metering system. The metres are being manufactured, and we are expecting the first batch of 3,600 in the country in September 2025,” Mr Appiah confirmed:
A web application is available for households and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to sign up, he added.
“For public buildings, we are doing almost 1,800, as well as schools, hospitals, police stations… for households, we are targeting about 4,918, and SMEs, 6,001,” he noted.
The Energy Commission reported Ghana generated 9,335 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2023, and the new system could boost renewable energy investments.
Mr Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Chief Executive Officer of AGI, stated that net metering would allow companies to generate more daytime energy and store it for later use.
He stressed the importance of energy for manufacturers, urging companies to invest in renewables.
Mr. Twum-Akwaboah was optimistic that investing in renewable energy would cut Ghana’s reliance on fossil fuels, lower costs, and drive sustainable development.
AGI, he said, would continue using its Energy Service Centre to promote renewable energy adoption among industries and households.
Mr Andrew Boamah Asare, an Infrastructure Specialist at the Swiss Embassy in Ghana, commended the government’s efforts.
Switzerland is financing the scale-up of Ghana’s net metering programme, deploying 12,000 roof-mounted solar PV systems for SMEs and households.
This funding comes from a Swiss government partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), following an agreement signed during AfDB’s annual meetings in Ghana in May 2022.
GNA