As the global conversation around clean energy intensifies, there are concerns about the future of Ghana’s flagship refinery; however, there is a new path that balances environmental responsibility with economic reality.
For Ghana, the approach is not one of abrupt transition, but of careful adaptation, acknowledging both the urgency of sustainability and the enduring relevance of hydrocarbons in a developing economy.
The Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Edmond Kombat, shared the outlook of Ghana’s foremost oil refinery amid the transition during a visit by fellows of the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship (AEMF).
The Approach to Sustainability
The strategy of the country is a shift toward energy efficiency and emissions reduction. Edmond Kombat reveals that plans are underway to deploy carbon capture technologies that will ensure gases previously flared are captured and reused, reducing environmental harm while improving operational efficiency.
In addition, TOR is moving to integrate renewable energy into its operations. Solar-powered systems are being considered for key infrastructure such as the loading gantry.
The Ministry of Energy has approved the installation of solar-enabled street lighting across the refinery to cut electricity costs and improve sustainability.
To institutionalise these efforts, management is also proposing the creation of a dedicated sustainability unit, a move aimed at embedding environmental considerations into the refinery’s long-term strategy.
“Most of the things that we are doing, we try to make sure that they are more environmentally friendly. There will be a time when what we’ve been flaring will not flare again. We’ll capture it. So carbon capture technology and all of that,” he indicated.
He added, “We’ll capture it and reuse it. Also, the technical team is leading. And they’re also leading a proposal to set up a sustainability unit, which currently does not exist, to ensure something like the loading gantry. We’ll have a solar panel for the loading gantry. The street lighting of this place, if you are coming at night, is not too bright. The ministry has approved to come and install solar-enabled street lights across the whole place.”
The Reality Check on Energy Transition
While these initiatives point to a greener direction, Kombat offered a candid perspective on the global push for rapid energy transition.
He cautioned against what he described as a tendency for developing countries to follow global trends without fully assessing their local realities. According to him, hydrocarbons will remain relevant for decades, not only as a source of energy but also as a critical input in everyday products such as plastics and rubber.
For him, the global narrative on transition often overlooks the infrastructural and financial limitations facing many countries.
Drawing from international experience, he noted that even advanced economies that once aggressively promoted alternatives like green hydrogen are now slowing down due to the massive cost of replacing existing hydrocarbon-based infrastructure.
The implication for Ghana is clear is that transitioning too quickly, without adequate preparation, risks leaving the country stranded between outdated systems and unviable alternatives.
“If you look at what is happening with the future of hydrocarbons, you know, there’s a lot of contradiction in the world. And I think that our population is increasing, but hydrocarbons will be with us for quite a while. And even if refineries shut down, you still need hydrocarbons, because most of the rubbers that we see are made from hydrocarbons,” he indicated.
Balancing Today’s Needs with Tomorrow’s Goals
Rather than abandoning hydrocarbons, TOR’s strategy appears to focus on making existing operations cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable.
At the policy level, government efforts are also underway to support the gradual adoption of cleaner technologies, including the regulation of electric vehicles through the Energy Commission. However, as Kombat emphasised, such transitions will take time.
For now, the priority remains ensuring that energy systems are reliable, affordable, and aligned with the country’s developmental needs.
“Most of the things that we are trying to do are to make sure that our institutions use energy-efficient and compliant equipment to reduce the energy usage, to make sure that we’re environmentally sound, we’re environmentally safe, and all of that. But on another level, the government is working through the Energy Commission to make sure that they license things like EVs and other things,” he noted.
The Bottomline
Instead of choosing between oil and green energy, Ghana is betting on coexistence, improving environmental performance while maintaining the role of hydrocarbons in powering the economy.
In a world where energy narratives often shift as quickly as policies, TOR believes that the transition, if it will eventually happen, will not be a sprint, but a carefully managed journey.
