GRIDCo, ECG attribute power cuts to parts of the country to shortage in gas supply
In an announcement made on Friday, the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) revealed that the nation’s thermal power generation is grappling with a significant deficit due to restricted gas supply from the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant (GPP) and the West African Gas Pipeline (WAPCo). This gas shortage has resulted in a staggering 650 megawatts (MW) shortfall during peak hours, thereby disrupting power supply to various parts of the country.
GRIDCo, responsible for managing the National Interconnected Transmission System, expressed remorse over the inconvenience faced by consumers and assured that all possible measures are being taken to restore gas supply from the Atuabo facility. The company emphasized that as the situation improves, power will be reinstated to the affected customers.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the nation’s power distributor, also issued a statement on Friday, tendering apologies to consumers who have been subjected to power cuts as a consequence of the gas supply challenges. ECG clarified that the gas crisis at Atuabo and WAPCo has forced the shutdown of vital power plants, including the Asogli phase-One units, Cenpower, and Aksa Power Plants, thereby exacerbating the generation deficit.
ECG sought to offer some reassurance by stating that the Ghana National Gas Company has provided assurances that the issue will be addressed with utmost urgency. Furthermore, the power distributor anticipates a full restoration of power supply by 9:00 pm on Friday, July 7, 2023.
The current state of affairs underscores the significance of a stable and reliable gas supply infrastructure for thermal power generation in Ghana. As authorities work diligently to rectify the situation, consumers eagerly await a resolution that will ensure an uninterrupted power supply and alleviate the inconveniences caused by the power deficit.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by emerging economies in maintaining consistent power generation and distribution, as they strive to meet the ever-growing energy demands of their populations while grappling with infrastructural constraints and external supply vulnerabilities.
