Government Moves to Control Charging Stations to Protect Ghana’s Power Grid

The government is moving to regulate the establishment and operation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Ghana as the growing adoption of electric vehicles puts increasing pressure on the country’s electricity infrastructure.

Energy and Green Transition Minister, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, disclosed that legislation currently before Parliament will require EV charging station operators to obtain approval from the Energy Commission before setting up their facilities.

The proposed regulation is aimed at ensuring that charging stations are installed in locations where the electricity network has enough capacity to handle the additional demand.

According to Dr Jinapor, the rapid expansion of charging stations, particularly facilities using fast-charging technology, could place significant pressure on transformers and other parts of the distribution network when installations are made without proper assessment.

The Energy Commission has already been taking steps to regulate the sector. Its public notice requires prior approval for the installation and operation of EV charging stations and battery swap systems in Ghana, with the aim of ensuring safety, reliability and compliance with technical standards.

The government says the regulatory framework is intended to support Ghana’s transition to electric mobility without compromising the stability of the national power system.

With EV adoption expected to grow, authorities are seeking to ensure that charging infrastructure develops in a coordinated manner while protecting consumers and the wider electricity network.