Atuabo Gas Plant shutdown not to result in dumsor – Ghana Gas
The Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) has debunked assertions of the possible rationing of power [dumsor] in the country over the temporary shutdown of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant located in the Western Region.
Concerns of the possible power outages by the public is due to the belief of insufficient gas supply for power generation with the shutdown of the gas processing plant.
Reacting to the concerns expressed by a section of the Ghanaian populace, Head of Corporate Communications for GNGC, Ernest Owusu Bempah in a media engagement noted that in the event of a shutdown of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, there is the provision of sufficient gas from Sankofa fields operated by ENI for power generation.
“I don’t understand why a section of the public feels that when the Atuabo Gas Plant is shutdown, then the nation returns to having power outages, this cannot be true. I have stated that there is a system in place which gives us the opportunity to have gas from ENI as well as one additional source which gives us extra gas to generate electricity for Ghanaians.
“Therefore, despite the fact that we have shutdown the Atuabo Gas Plant, as I am talking to you there is still enough gas for power generation that would not bring any challenge to Ghanaians with respect to electricity generation,” he stated.
Speaking further, he however, noted that the shutdown of the gas plant is due to the need for maintenance works on the plant, adding that the GNGC will not shy away from undertaking its routine engineering and maintenance of machines and equipment at the gas plant.
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“Engineering and maintenance works are only to guarantee the integrity of the processing plant and GNGC will continue to do so in accordance with international best practices,” he added.
The Ghana National Gas Company in October this year shut down its processing plant to Atuabo to allow for routine engineering and maintenance works
The scheduled 14-days works is inconsistent with previous shutdown and this is to enhance the capacity for uninterrupted productivity while prolonging the lifespan of machines and equipment.
The works involved the installation of high integrity pressure systems, replacement of small-bore piping and heat exchange cleaning.
However, the scheduled time for the engineering and maintenance works has elapsed. Since then, there have been speculations over the delay and its consequence on power generation.
It is in this respect, that the GNGC has assured Ghanaians that there are other reliable options available in terms of gas supply for power generating plants in the country.
