Why can drought cause electricity shortages in Ghana?

Drought conditions can cause electricity shortages in Ghana because approximately two-fifths of the country's electricity is generated through hydroelectric power.1

This power is supplied principally by the Akosombo Dam on the Volta River, with additional contributions from the Kpong Dam and the Bui Dam on the Black Volta River. Because these facilities rely on the flow of river water to generate energy, a lack of rainfall reduces water levels, which negatively impacts production capacity and leads to power interruptions. While Ghana also utilizes oil- and gas-fired plants to meet its energy needs, the reliance on hydroelectric infrastructure makes the national power supply vulnerable to fluctuations in climate and water availability.1