The Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy generated GH¢8.81 billion in 2025, with government saying the proceeds were used to support the country’s power sector financing gap and repay legacy debts.
According to an annual report submitted to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Tuesday, June 23, the levy—charged at GH₵1 per litre on selected petroleum products—remains a key funding source for stabilising the energy sector.
The report showed that beyond the levy collections, government injected an additional GH¢1.26 billion into the Energy Sector Support Account, bringing total available funds for the year to GH¢10.07 billion.
Out of this amount, GH¢9.82 billion was spent in 2025. This included GH¢6.32 billion used to cover energy sector shortfalls, while GH¢3.52 billion went into servicing legacy debt within the sector.
However, the report noted that the levy proceeds were still not enough to meet total obligations for the year. As a result, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department made extra payments of GH¢12.85 billion from the Treasury Main Account to bridge the financing gap.
In total, GH¢22.67 billion was spent across both the Energy Sector Support Account and the Treasury Main Account to address outstanding energy sector liabilities and debt obligations in 2025.
By the end of the year, the Energy Sector Support Account recorded a balance of GH¢252.23 million.
The report stated that “lodgements for the period under review amounted to GH¢8.81 billion, exceeding collections by GH¢158.25 million (1.8%). An amount of GH¢1.26 billion was also brought forward into 2025 as balances on the various accounts making up the Energy Sector Support Account, bringing the total funds available to GH¢10.07 billion.”
It further added that total utilisation of the account stood at GH¢9.82 billion, in line with provisions guiding the use of the levy for debt repayment and energy sector support.
Introduced to help finance fuel supply for thermal plants and settle accumulated sector debts, the levy has faced ongoing scrutiny from stakeholders who have called for greater transparency in its management.
Government, however, maintains that the revenue has played a crucial role in sustaining electricity supply and reducing pressure on the national grid.
