Ghana’s middle belt is undergoing significant power generation transformation, thanks to strategic infrastructure investment by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).
As part of its commitment to investments in critical infrastructure project, GNPC has successfully financed the construction of a 110-kilometre gas pipeline from Prestea to Kumasi.
Checks by The High Street Journal reveal that in July 2022, Genser Energy secured $425 million to develop key natural gas infrastructure in Ghana, including a 100km pipeline to Kumasi, a 200 mmscfd gas conditioning plant at Prestea, and a Natural Gas Liquid storage terminal at the Takoradi Port.
The pipeline was completed in June 2023, marking a major step toward delivering cheaper, locally sourced piped natural gas to Kumasi and Ghana’s central belt. The project aims to help industries transition from costly imported fuels like diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO) to indigenous natural gas, enhancing energy affordability and industrial competitiveness.
The completion of this project has paved the way for the emergence of a third major power generation enclave in the country, a development poised to significantly boost economic activity in the region and beyond.
But that is not all, GNPC’s Deputy CEO in charge of Finance, Administration, and Commerce, Hamis Ussif, has revealed that two additional power generation plants are set to be completed by the end of this year.
The deputy CEO who was speaking at the 2025 West Africa Gas Summit noted that this power generation transformation is being powered by the steady gas supply now flowing through the Prestea-Kumasi pipeline.
This investment comes as good news even beyond power generation. The move is expected to be foundational for industrialization and regional growth. This is because this investment will unlock the potential for stable and affordable electricity in Ghana’s middle belt, bringing power generation closer to demand centres and reducing transmission losses.
The Prestea-Kumasi pipeline could be a game-changer for a region that has long relied on power transmitted from the southern coast, often at great technical and economic cost.
With localized power generation now within reach, the Ashanti and surrounding regions are expected to benefit from improved grid stability, lower operational costs for businesses, and a more attractive climate for industrial investment.
The two power plants under construction will not only enhance energy security but also generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs during and after construction. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those in agro-processing, manufacturing, and services, stand to gain from consistent and affordable energy supply, allowing them to scale operations and contribute meaningfully to regional GDP.
The power enclave in the middle belt complements the country’s broader energy goals, including reducing transmission losses, diversifying power sources, and achieving greater efficiency across the value chain. At the completion of the two power plants by the end of the year, Ghana’s energy landscape is set to become more balanced, resilient, and inclusive.
