Biomass and Electric Cooking Pathways in Ghana

This study examines how reducing biomass-based cooking could affect electric cooking adoption in Ghana using the Climate, Land, Energy and Water Systems (CLEWs) framework and OSeMOSYS from 2022 to 2063. Two scenarios were assessed: Business-as-Usual (BAU) and Zero Biomass, where biomass cooking is eliminated by 2030. The results show that eliminating biomass accelerates electric cooking adoption, with electricity demand reaching about 53 PJ in 2035, 85 PJ in 2040 and 119 PJ in 2055, compared with about 62 PJ in 2040 and 101 PJ in 2055 under BAU. Both scenarios reach approximately 143 PJ by 2063. The findings also show that increased electric-cooking adoption has cross-sectoral impacts. Higher electricity demand increases pressure on power generation capacity and energy infrastructure, while changes in the energy mix influence CO₂ emissions. Reduced dependence on biomass can also affect land use and biomass resource demand, potentially reducing pressure on forests and agricultural land. At the same time, changes in electricity generation can have implications for water demand, particularly where water-dependent generation technologies are used. These interactions demonstrate the strong links between the energy, land, water and climate sectors. The study therefore highlights the need to integrate clean-cooking policies with electricity generation, land-use, water-resource and climate planning. Overall, the findings support a coordinated transition involving electric cooking, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and improved biomass technologies, while addressing affordability, technology access and electricity reliability. Future studies should examine gradual biomass reduction pathways and more detailed infrastructure and implementation requirements.