The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ghana’s electricity transmission body, has provided an update on the recent spate of power outages affecting parts of the country.

According to GRIDCo, the interruptions are directly related to a shortage of natural gas needed to power thermal plants, which in turn impacts the company’s ability to transmit adequate electricity to meet the country’s demand.

Speaking on the matter, Dzifa Bampoh, GRIDCo’s Corporate Communications Manager, explained that the root cause of the power interruptions lies in what she described as “commercial challenges.” These challenges involve ongoing issues with agreements, payment delays, and negotiations with gas suppliers.

“Currently GRIDCo, as far as we are aware, has some commercial challenges with supply in reference to gas.
“When we say commercial challenges, it means there are agreements, payment, and negotiations that need to be made with the gas suppliers.”
Dzifa Bampoh, GRIDCo’s Corporate Communications Manager

She added that these issues have limited the quantum of power available for ECG to distribute across the country.

Gas is a crucial input for powering Ghana’s thermal plants, which produce a significant portion of the nation’s electricity. This supply disruption has reduced power generation capacity, placing GRIDCo in a position where it cannot meet the full electricity demand across the country.

GRIDCo confirmed that the power deficit is especially noticeable during peak times, with a shortfall of about 550 megawatts (MW) of electricity expected to persist until the situation is resolved.

“This will affect power supply to consumers in some parts of the country. The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” GRIDCo noted.

In response to fears that the country might be on the cusp of another dumsor crisis, Bampoh provided assurances that these outages are due to short-term supply challenges and should not be interpreted as a sign of an impending power crisis.

She stressed that the situation could stabilize if the government manages to resolve the commercial issues with gas suppliers, thereby restoring gas supply and enabling a return to consistent power generation and transmission.

Impact of the Sunon Asogli Power Plant Shutdown

Dzifa Bampoh, GRIDCo’s Corporate Communications Manager

Adding another layer of complexity, the shutdown of the Sunon Asogli Power Plant, a key thermal power station, has exacerbated the electricity situation. The plant suspended operations due to debt owed by ECG, Ghana’s primary electricity distribution company.

However, GRIDCo was quick to clarify that the current gas supply shortage would affect power generation even if the Sunon Asogli plant were operational.

“It doesn’t even have to do with the recent outages. The current outages we are experiencing—including myself—are really because we don’t have the full quantum of indigenous gas supply in Ghana to meet our demands.”
Dzifa Bampoh, GRIDCo’s Corporate Communications Manager

Bampoh expressed optimism that the current disruptions could be alleviated if the commercial issues surrounding gas supply are resolved in the near term. She emphasized that GRIDCo is committed to ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply, and the company remains in ongoing discussions with relevant stakeholders to facilitate a resolution.

In the interim, GRIDCo has advised the public to remain patient and has reiterated its commitment to minimizing power disruptions. The company also reassured consumers that all efforts are being made to prevent the recurrence of extensive power cuts, which are both economically and socially disruptive.

While GRIDCo has clarified that the outages stem from gas supply challenges rather than operational issues within its transmission systems, the situation has reignited public fears of a potential return to dumsor.

As government entities work to resolve the gas supply shortfall, the country remains hopeful for a swift resolution, one that will ensure consistent power supply and avert further disruption to daily life and business activities.