The Potential for Small Hydropower Plants in Ghana

Abstract

Several resources and efforts have been devoted into many studies concerning the Small Hydro Potential (SHP) sites in Ghana, but still not a single of these potential sites has been developed. The country has been experiencing power crises in recent years and has resorted to the development of thermal power as supplement to the old hydropower source. The significance of renewable energy such as small hydropower in the generation of sustainable power based on its capacity to contribute towards alleviating acute shortage of rural electricity supply in Ghana has been discussed. A reasonably complete small hydropower technology review has been presented. Electricity supply to the rural communities’ situation in the country has been presented and, in general, the country’s level of electricity access is very low combined with various challenges. Small hydropower technology has been discussed as one of the promising spread out power generation system for rural electricity supply in the country. In spite of the challenges in the acquisition of data, this paper has shown that there are many important hydropower resources in Ghana with low installation level. Challenges hindering SHP technology development in the country have been identified and discussed, for instance those relating to technology, climate change, finance, and policy. This paper adds to the information base on SHP technology which is relatively missing in the country.