President Mahama Announces 1,200MW Thermal Plant Project to Become Ghana's Largest Power Facility

President John Mahama has announced that Ghana is set to construct a 1,200-megawatt (MW) gas-fired thermal power plant, which will be the largest power generation facility in the country's history. Speaking during a town hall meeting on September 25, 2026, the President revealed that the formal agreement for this massive infrastructure project is expected to be signed before the end of the year. This initiative is a cornerstone of the administration's plan to fortify the national grid and ensure long-term energy self-sufficiency.

The project is part of a comprehensive strategy to adapt to the global energy transition while addressing long-standing systemic issues within Ghana's domestic energy market. President Mahama detailed plans to stabilize the sector by reducing mounting debts and spearheading a reorganization of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). A key component of these reforms is a new prioritization framework for payments to power producers, intended to resolve liquidity challenges and improve the overall reliability of the distribution network.

Economic stability and investor relations were also central themes in the President's address. He noted a significant recovery in investor confidence within the oil and gas sector, which he attributed to the government's commitment to maintaining a stable currency and a predictable regulatory environment. By utilizing domestic gas resources for the new 1,200MW plant, the government aims to lower the cost of production and insulate the economy from the volatility of international fuel prices.

As the government moves toward finalizing the agreement by December 2026, the focus will remain on integrating this capacity into the national development roadmap. This facility is expected not only to meet the rising demand for electricity driven by industrialization but also to strengthen Ghana's position as a primary energy exporter within the West African Power Pool. The successful execution of this project is viewed as vital for the country's transition toward a more resilient and sustainable energy future.