Energy Integration to Ensure Effective Generation Supply and Distribution in Ghana Corporation Perspective

Aims: The objectives of the research are to examine the awareness and efficiency of the renewable energy law in Ghana; determine the main source for energy generated by the VRA, GRIDCO, and ECG; determine the distribution gap and find out how effectively these corporations are making use of the other resources to generate electric energy in Ghana.

Study Design: Purposive Sampling technique study design.

Place and Duration of Study: Volta River Authority, Ghana Grid Company, Electricity Company of Ghana, Ghana, between April 2016 and August 2016.

Methodology: We included sampled employees from the Volta River Authority, Ghana Grid Company, Electricity Company of Ghana. A total of 300 employees of the three organizations were selected for the research. The study employed a purposive sampling technique in selecting the employees from the three organizations.

Results: Data collected was analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that all employees are aware of the Renewable Energy Law Act 832 and that it is defined as energy obtained from non-depleting sources such as “Wind energy”, “Solar energy”, “Bio-energy”, “Geothermal energy”, and “Ocean energy”. Also, this study has established that, “hydro power sources”, “thermal energy sources”; and “renewable energy sources” are the main sources of energy generated by the Volta River Authority and also the type of renewable energy currently generated by the Volta River Authority is the solar energy.

Furthermore, the study has been able to establish that the Volta River Authority currently produce between 2100 to 2499 megawatts of electricity but however, there is a distribution gap or shortfall of about 900 to 1299 megawatts of electricity. Finally, findings from the study revealed that other corporations generate about 900 to 1299 megawatts of electricity.

Conclusion: “High-Cost” and “Lack of trust in the technology” are the factors that will prevent the adoption of renewable energy sources. Also, “Lack of budget funding” and “Unavailability of Gas/Crude oil to power plants” are the barriers to improving energy efficiency. It was however recommended that, the government should endeavor to initiate informative programs aimed at promoting renewable energy and provide capital subsidies and make investments through specialized agencies created for the promotion of renewable energy development and for installation of renewable energy.