Energy Commission targets 20% cut in building energy use

The Energy Commission of Ghana has targeted a 20% reduction in building energy consumption within five years through the full integration of energy efficiency requirements into local government permitting processes. Chris Nanabanyin Yalley, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, disclosed this at a training workshop for MMDA staff from the 14 regional capitals held last Wednesday (July 15) in Accra. He stated, "As Ghana continues to urbanise and expand its infrastructure, it has become imperative that energy efficiency is no longer viewed as an optional consideration but as an essential component of every building development project."

The building sector is one of the largest consumers of electricity in the country, with Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems alone accounting for approximately 50% of electricity costs in air-conditioned buildings. The Commission developed the Building Energy Efficiency Guideline based on GS 1207:2018 to promote energy-efficient building design and construction. This guideline supports the country's commitments under the Paris Agreement and SDGs 7 and 13. It introduces three compliance pathways: "Prescriptive, Performance-Based and Certification-Based." The Commission has reviewed and proposed updates to the Local Government Service Operational Manual to embed energy efficiency workflows within the building permitting and development control processes of MMDAs.