West Africa Energy Program YEAR 5 – FY 24 QUARTER 1 PROGRESS REPORT GHANA-ONLY ACTIVITIES (CLIN 0002)

The program's Ghana-only activities, under Contract Line-Item Number (CLIN) 0002, are the focus of this report. The report covers the first quarter of the program's fifth year, from October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The program's overall goal is to increase access to reliable and affordable grid-based power, as well as to improve the performance of select national utilities and power sector entities. To achieve this, the WAEP team has been working with various stakeholders, including the Government of Ghana, to advance power sector planning, accelerate energy access, and improve the regulatory environment. One of the key outcomes of the program is the increase in access to reliable and affordable grid-based power. As of the end of Year 5 Q1, the team has met or exceeded targets for 15 out of a total of 22 indicators. The program has also made significant progress in improving the performance of select national utilities and power sector entities. The WAEP team has been working closely with the Ministry of Energy and other stakeholders to deepen the sustainability of outcomes achieved beyond the life of the program. The team has also been engaging with various partners, including the United States Government agencies, Power Africa partners, and other stakeholders, to advance the program's goals. The program's progress is reflected in the indicators presented in Table 1, which shows the progress made towards the program's life-of-program (LoP) targets. The table highlights the number of new grid and off-grid actual direct connections, the number of MW from transactions that achieved financial close, the amount of investment mobilized for energy investment, and the kilometers of transmission and distribution lines reached financial close. The WAEP team has also been working on several other activities, including the development of the Integrated Power Sector Master Plan (IPSMP), the implementation of the Change Management Program (CMP), and the strengthening of the regulatory environment. The team has also been engaging with various stakeholders to advance the program's goals and to ensure the sustainability of outcomes achieved beyond the life of the program. Overall, the WAEP team has made significant progress in advancing the program's goals and has met or exceeded targets for 15 out of a total of 22 indicators. The program's progress is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the WAEP team and its partners, and it is expected to have a lasting impact on the energy sector in Ghana. The program's success can be attributed to the strong partnerships established with various stakeholders, including the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Energy, and other power sector entities. The WAEP team has also been working closely with the Power Africa Coordinator's Office (PACO) to advance the program's goals and to ensure the sustainability of outcomes achieved beyond the life of the program. The program's progress is also reflected in the indicators presented in Table 2, which shows the overview of engaged partners, agencies, and companies in Year 5 Q1. The table highlights the various partners that the program engaged with during the period, including the United States Government agencies, Power Africa partners, and other stakeholders.