Ghana’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage capacity has risen above 38,000 metric tonnes following the commissioning of a new 6,000-tonne terminal by Sahara Group in Tema, strengthening the country’s infrastructure for storing and distributing the fuel.
The facility adds to existing LPG storage infrastructure operated by Tema Oil Refinery, Quantum, Blue Ocean and Ghana National Gas Company, whose facility is located at Atuabo.
Its commissioning comes as Ghana continues to pursue wider LPG access, with storage capacity remaining an important part of ensuring that supplies can reach consumers reliably.
Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, described the investment as a significant addition to the country’s downstream petroleum infrastructure, highlighting its potential contribution to supply reliability.
“With this investment, Sahara Group now accounts for about 10 per cent of Ghana’s entire LPG storage capacity,”
The increase in capacity provides additional infrastructure for holding LPG before distribution. However, the extent to which it improves availability and affordability will also depend on supply volumes, distribution efficiency and the ability of the wider market to move products to consumers.
Automated Terminal Targets Continuous Operations
The Sahara facility, located in Tema’s industrial area, incorporates infrastructure designed to support the receipt, storage and dispatch of LPG.
Abayomi Oyenuga, facility manager at Asharami Ghana, said the terminal comprises two propane-rated spherical tanks with a combined LPG storage volume of approximately 12,000 cubic metres.
The installation also features six loading bays, seven product pumps, an LPG liquid compressor and a dedicated 12-inch pipeline extending 3.5 kilometres.
Oyenuga said automation had been a major component of the investment, with systems covering the movement of products through the facility.
“We have invested heavily in the terminal automation system for this facility. Right from product receipt to dispatch, it is fully automated”
Abayomi Oyenuga, facility manager, Asharami Ghana
The terminal also incorporates fire protection, emergency response and preventive maintenance systems intended to support safe and efficient operations.
These systems are important because LPG requires specialised handling and safety controls throughout storage and distribution.
Automation can support operational consistency, while emergency response arrangements and preventive maintenance help manage risks associated with equipment failure and product handling.
The facility’s actual contribution to market performance will ultimately depend on how effectively it operates alongside the country’s existing storage and distribution network.
NPA Links Investment To LPG Access And Energy Security
Mr Tameklo said the additional capacity would support Ghana’s efforts to improve supply reliability and expand access to LPG.
He also highlighted the facility’s round-the-clock operating model, linking it to President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
“The facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is in line with the President’s vision for a 24-hour economy,” he said.
The continuous operating schedule is intended to support ongoing commercial activity, although the wider benefits will depend on product availability, demand and the efficiency of downstream distribution.
For Ghana, expanding LPG storage infrastructure is one part of the broader task of improving access to the fuel.
Storage facilities can provide additional capacity to hold supplies, but their presence alone does not guarantee that LPG will be consistently available or affordable across the country.
The investment therefore strengthens the physical infrastructure supporting the market, while leaving distribution, pricing and consumer access as important factors in determining the overall benefit.
Global Diesel Tightness Adds To Energy Security Concerns
The commissioning also comes against a backdrop of international energy-market uncertainty, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) urging member governments to accelerate outstanding emergency stock releases, particularly diesel, amid tightening global supplies and tensions in the Middle East.
In a letter to member governments ahead of the IEA Governing Board meeting scheduled for October 15, Executive Director Fatih Birol encouraged countries to complete their pledged releases and assess whether further diesel supplies should be made available.
He also called on members that had already completed their commitments to consider additional releases where necessary, including specifying their potential scale and timing.
“As we did in March, I believe we can once again demonstrate the IEA’s capacity to act together in support of energy security and economic stability,” Mr Birol said.
The IEA’s appeal follows renewed attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including attacks on Riyadh’s international airport, according to the information provided by the agency.
The agency’s focus is on diesel, while Sahara’s new terminal is dedicated to LPG. The two developments concern different petroleum products and should not be treated as directly interchangeable responses to the same supply constraint.
However, both highlight the importance of infrastructure, supply planning and coordinated action in strengthening energy security.
Storage Expansion Must Translate Into Reliable Supply
The new terminal raises Ghana’s LPG storage capacity above 38,000 metric tonnes and adds another facility to the country’s downstream petroleum infrastructure.
Its automated operations, loading facilities and dedicated pipeline provide the physical capacity to support product handling and distribution.
Yet the broader test will be whether the investment contributes to more reliable supply and helps advance the goal of expanding LPG access.
As global energy markets remain exposed to geopolitical disruption, investments in domestic storage can strengthen the infrastructure available to manage supply.
Their ultimate value, however, depends on how effectively that capacity is integrated into the wider petroleum market.
For Ghana, the commissioning represents an expansion of LPG storage infrastructure. Turning that additional capacity into sustained benefits for consumers will require efficient distribution, safe operations and dependable product supplies.
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