Ghana’s Power Sector Overhaul: New Night Tariffs and Infrastructure Upgrades to Support 24-Hour Economy

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is set to transform Ghana's industrial landscape with the introduction of a new electricity tariff regime designed to incentivize nighttime business operations. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the Energy Commission and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), aims to offer significantly lower power rates during off-peak hours, specifically from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. The policy is a central component of the push toward a 24-hour economy, providing the financial relief necessary for businesses to scale operations into the night while supporting the adoption of electric vehicles and enhancing overall commercial productivity. To facilitate this transition, specialized smart meters will be deployed to automatically track and apply the reduced rates during the designated off-peak windows.

Complementing these policy shifts are significant investments in the nation’s power transmission infrastructure. The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has successfully commissioned a new 120/145MVA Siemens Energy power transformer at the Afienya Substation. This upgrade more than doubles the substation's previous capacity of 66MVA, directly addressing long-standing overloading issues that have historically affected the reliability of supply to Accra, Dawhenya, and neighboring communities. According to GRIDCo officials, the project was executed entirely by internal engineers, highlighting a commitment to technical excellence and grid stability as the demand for electricity continues to grow across major urban and industrial hubs.

While these long-term upgrades are being finalized, the ECG is also focusing on immediate grid maintenance to ensure service reliability across multiple regions. Scheduled and emergency works have been coordinated across the Central, Volta, Tema, and Accra West regions, alongside efforts to rectify network faults in the Ashanti South Region. While these maintenance activities necessitate temporary power disruptions, the utility provider emphasizes that such works are critical for stabilizing the national grid and preventing future systemic failures. The combination of targeted maintenance, infrastructure expansion at the Afienya substation, and the PURC’s innovative tariff structures reflects a multi-tiered strategy to provide the reliable, affordable energy essential for Ghana's industrial and commercial growth.