The bill, when approved is expected to provide a transparent regulatory framework for the gas industry, and also address the infrastructure requirements of the sector.

It is also expected to provide institutional mandates for the gas sector agencies and ensure a revised gas pricing policy in response to the country’s developmental priorities.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Energy, Mr Boakye Agyarko, when he appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy to justify the ministry’s budget for 2017.

The ministry, he said also intended to provide regulatory measures which included regulations on health safety and environment data management, a framework for the establishment of the local content fund prescribed by the new E&P law, and a local content regulation for the petroleum downstream.

Targets for 2017

The ministry also plans to increase the country’s installed generation capacity by adding a total of 1,227MW to the existing installed capacity of 3,644 this year.

Out of the expected 1,227MW, 370MW will come from the AKSA project, with 107MW coming from the GPGC project.

The rest are the CenPower project (350MW) and the Early Power Project (400MW)

He said these projects were to ensure adequate, secure, reliable and sustainable energy.

Highlighting the ministry’s key performance targets for 2017, he said it aimed to reduce power distribution system losses from 21 per cent to 20 per cent, increase access to electricity from 83.24 per cent to 85 per cent, and increase the renewable energy supply in the national energy mix from one per cent to 2.3 per cent.

Others include increasing the productivity of the Jubilee field from the current 99,569 to 111,833 barrels of oil and 80.8 to 102.3 million standard cubic feet of Gas per day, increase productivity of TEN from 23,092 to 65,082 barrels of oil per day, and also develop a Gas Master Plan.

Transmission enhancement projects

Under power transmission, the ministry plans to ensure the completion of the Transmission System Rehabilitation Project (TSRP) and the extension of 161kV system to Berekum.

It also intends to complete the 330kV Prestea-Kumasi Transmission Line Project and complete the Aboadze-Prestea Transmission Line Project to ensure reliable evacuation of power from the Western power generation enclave.

Rural electrification

In line with its aim of achieving universal access to electricity, the ministry also intends to implement Self Help Electrification Project (SHEP-4) and SHEP-5 pilot projects in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.

It also plans to implement phase one of the China International Water & Electric project (CWE) for five regions, implement phase one of the Hunan Project for three regions and complete outstanding electrification projects under the US Exim Bank Facility being executed by Weldy Lamont and Associates.

Renewable energy

As part of efforts to achieve two to three per cent renewable energy supply in the generation mix, the ministry plans to complete the tender for 20MW solar project, and installation of 300kW PV solar at the Ministry of Energy.

It will also facilitate the planning and development of the 150MW Ayitepa Wind Project and assist the Bui Power Authority (BPA) to complete the design process for the 500MW Solar Hybrid Project.