Estimation of CO2 Emissions of Fossil-Fueled Power Plants in Ghana: Message Analytical Model

Abstract

The pursuit of middle-income economic status by Ghana comes with an associated increase in electricity and energy demand. Meanwhile, an increase in either electricity or energy consumption is likely to result in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a result of increasing reliance on fossil fuel consumption. Presently, there is evidence of the impact of climate change on various aspects of Ghana’s socio-economic structures such as energy production, agriculture, and forestry. Therefore, it is imperative to develop and implement a long-term low-carbon sustainable energy supply strategy that will support the electricity demand of the major economic ambitions envisaged. This study applied a quantitative modelling and simulation methodology using the Model for Energy Supply Strategy and their General Environmental Impacts (MESSAGE) analytical tool to analyse the electricity generation system and the impact of fuel options on the environment. It was found that the inclusion of low-carbon emission energy conversion technologies such as renewables and nuclear energy is critical to curtailing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Ghana’s energy sector. Therefore, the incorporation of climate-friendly energy sources into the electricity sector is necessary to achieve sustainable, resilient, and clean electricity generation. Ghana’s fulfilment of its international commitment to climate change depends on reducing its dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation, thus, exploring the inclusion of zero-emitting sources into the country’s energy mix.