PROJECTS
Power Sector Advisory, Ghana
The problem
Ghana was losing about 5 percent of its GDP to inadequate and unreliable power supply. Power generation capacity was inadequate while the distribution utilities were losing money. Fossil fuel generation plants were being developed despite Ghana’s abundant and economically viable renewable energy sources.
How we helped
Castalia designed a framework to competitively procure renewable energy. We drafted procurement documents for Ghana’s first solar PV tender, and helped run the tender process for a 20MW project. We also defined a strategy for the distribution utilities to serve their clients reliably with distributed solar PV, batteries, and energy-efficiency technologies. At a sector level, we recommended proceeding with a concession to operate the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as part of the utility’s turnaround program, after analyzing the costs and benefits.
Impact
Ghana’s government and ECG competitively selected the IPP Biotherm for the 20MW solar project, and negotiations are under way. The power utilities agreed to pursue a distributed energy supply strategy. The concession contract for operating ECG was awarded in early 2019 to a consortium led by MERALCO—creating a viable off-taker for privately financed generation projects.
Our team
Find out more
- Castalia’s analysis was cited by the Government of Ghana in its Investment Plan for Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program
- Parliament Approves ECG Concession Agreement
- Meralco takes over power distribution services
How can we help you?
How can we help you?
WASHINGTON, DC
+1 (202) 466-6790
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1200
United States of America
SYDNEY
+61 (2) 9231 6862
Suite 19.01, Level 19, 227 Elizabeth Street
Australia
AUCKLAND
+64 (4) 913 2800
Sinclair House, 3 Glenside Crescent
New Zealand
WELLINGTON
+64 (4) 913 2800
Level 2, 88 The Terrace
New Zealand
PARIS
+33 (0)1 85 64 10 22
3B Rue Taylor
France
BOGOTÁ
+57 (1) 508 5794
Calle 81 #11-08, Piso 5, Oficina 5-121
Colombia
Thinking for a better world.

WASHINGTON, DC
+1 (202) 466-6790
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1200
United States of America
SYDNEY
+61 (2) 9231 6862
Suite 19.01, Level 19, 227 Elizabeth Street
Australia
AUCKLAND
+64 (4) 913 2800
74D France Street, Newton South
New Zealand
WELLINGTON
+64 (4) 913 2800
Level 2, 88 The Terrace
New Zealand
PARIS
+33 (1) 73 44 26 97
6 Rue Duret
France
BOGOTÁ
+57 (1) 508 5794
Calle 81 #11-08, Piso 5, Oficina 5-127
Colombia
Thinking for a better world.
