Gov’t to regulate EV charging stations, promote solar power – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans by the government to introduce a regulatory framework for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as Ghana prepares for increased adoption of electric mobility.
The President said the Ministry of Energy and Green Transitions is developing an EV policy that will provide clear and transparent guidelines for businesses and individuals seeking to establish charging stations across the country.
According to President Mahama, proper regulation is necessary to prevent the concentration of charging stations in particular areas from putting undue pressure on the electricity distribution system.
He explained that the establishment of multiple charging stations in one location without considering the capacity of the transformers and substations serving the area could disrupt the balance of electricity supply.
“A few people have started establishing charging stations. If this is not regulated, it could lead to imbalances in our energy system,” President Mahama said.
“If we put too many charging stations in one place without taking note of the transformer and the substation that feed those charging stations, it can imbalance the electricity supply in that area,” he added.
President Mahama also disclosed that the government intends to promote the use of solar power for charging electric vehicles.
He said Ghana has an opportunity to take advantage of its abundant sunlight to reduce the pressure EV charging could place on the national electricity grid.
“We also want to promote solar charging. The sunlight is free of charge. And so we want to promote the use of solar for charging,” he said.
The President said the Ministry of Energy and Green Transitions would submit the EV policy to Cabinet, after which clear regulations would be established to guide the development of charging infrastructure.
“The ministry is going to come with a policy to Cabinet, and we shall establish clear, transparent regulations so that those interested in going into EV charging stations can see a clear roadmap for doing so,” President Mahama stated.
The planned policy comes as Ghana seeks to strengthen its position as a major automotive manufacturing and assembly hub in West Africa.
President Mahama made the announcement while speaking at the inauguration of Phase III of the Zonda Tec Ghana Limited vehicle assembly plant in Tema.
He has previously stressed the need for Ghana to build a strong domestic automotive ecosystem, including local assembly, vehicle financing, supporting industries and infrastructure.
The development of an organised EV charging network is expected to form part of that broader transition, providing the infrastructure needed to support the growing use of electric vehicles while ensuring that the electricity system can accommodate additional demand.
