Government is keen about addressing the shortfall in power supply caused by the ongoing maintenance activities on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP).
As an interim measure, the government procured the alternative fuels (liquid oils) to power the thermal plants within the period that gas would not be available, which was being used to produce just enough power to meet the demand, with no reserve margin, putting a huge strain on the supply of power.
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, speaking to journalists in Tema after a tour of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) Tema Regulating and Metering Station at Bankuman last Friday, said with the planned maintenance exercise, known as pigging, expected to be completed by March 2, 2025, power supply would improve.
The ministry and WAPCo at the beginning of this month, issued a statement announcing the cleaning and inspection of a 56-kilometre onshore pipeline section between Itoki and Badagry in Nigeria—a crucial part of the West African Gas Pipeline.
Advertisement
Due to the exercise, Ghana was unable to power about 800 megawatts of thermal capacity, putting a huge strain on the supply of electricity to the grid.
The net effect of that exercise was that gas flow from Nigeria and the reverse flow of gas from Takoradi to the thermal enclaves have all been curtailed.
“It's a very difficult work, but the indication I'm getting is that they are on schedule. However, the next one week is very critical because the next one week could determine the extent of the success of the work they are pursuing.
“All things being equal, at the beginning of next month, we should see the flow of gas, which means that power supply will be much, much more enhanced,” the Minister said.
He expressed appreciation to the officials of WAPCo for the collaboration and understanding, and for deferring the planned maintenance from January 20, this year, to February this year, following a passionate appeal to enable the government to procure some emergency fuel.
N-Gas, debt
The minister said aside from the pigging exercise, the ministry had received a letter from the authorities of Nigeria Gas (N-Gas) not to cut supply of gas even after the pigging exercise because of an outstanding liability of about $75 million.
This measure, he explained, would give Ghana some breathing space while the nation took time to settle the outstanding liabilities.
Mr Abdulai Jinapor also disclosed that as a sign of good faith, President John Dramani Mahama had dispatched a team to Nigeria to discuss with the Nigerian authorities, ways in which they could reach an agreement with a Nigerian gas consortium to settle outstanding debts worth up to $75 million.
This move follows threats by N-Gas to seal the gas pipeline that supplies gas to thermal plants in Ghana over the unpaid debt.
WAPCo
The Managing Director of WAPCo, Michelle Burkett, the General Manager, Operations and Maintenance at WAPCo, Mr Auwal Ibrahim, and WAPCo's General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Dr Isaac Adjei Doku, who took turns to brief the minister, assured him that maintenance works were progressing steadily and that they were hopeful the March 2, 2025 deadline would be met.
Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
