The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have jointly addressed the nation on power disruptions caused by ongoing maintenance activities on the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo).

The operational disturbances at WAPCo have had a cascading effect on Ghana’s power supply. The Tema station’s shutdown has forced the temporary closure of several thermal power plants located in Tema, which rely on natural gas from the pipeline.

This, in turn, has led to a shortfall in electricity generation, prompting GRIDCo and ECG to implement limited load management measures in affected areas.

“This has caused a shortfall in power supply, requiring some limited load management in parts of the country,” the joint statement from GRIDCo and ECG read.

While specific areas affected by the load management were not detailed, power outages have been reported in parts of Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, among other major cities.

GRIDCo and ECG have assured the public that efforts are underway to mitigate the impact of the disruptions.

“We are optimistic that WAPCo will soon resolve the challenge and restore gas supply,” the statement added, noting that full restoration of power to affected areas would follow the resumption of gas supply

“We express our gratitude to our key stakeholders for their patience during this process and apologize for any inconvenience caused,” GRIDCo and ECG stated.

The companies also urged consumers to conserve electricity where possible and to stay updated through official communication channels.

WAPCo’s Maintenance Challenges

WAPCo recently announced a cleaning and inspection exercise on a 56-kilometer onshore section of the pipeline between Itoki and Badagry in Nigeria. This section plays a crucial role in the supply chain, as it transports gas to the Lagos Beach Compressor Station before distribution to other countries.

However, the maintenance process uncovered unexpected complications. During cleaning operations, a larger-than-anticipated volume of liquids and debris accumulated at the Lagos Beach Compressor Station, disrupting the smooth flow of gas through the pipeline.

“During the cleaning exercise, a larger-than-expected volume of liquids and debris was received at the Lagos Beach Compressor Station.”
West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo)

These disruptions highlight the vulnerability of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to regional supply chain issues, particularly involving natural gas, which fuels key thermal power plants in the country.

The root of the issue stems from cleaning and inspection works being undertaken by the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo).

WAPCo is responsible for maintaining the 678-kilometer pipeline that supplies natural gas to several West African nations, including Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.

WAPCo noted that the discovery raised safety concerns and necessitated a temporary shutdown of Ghana’s Tema Regulatory & Metering Station. The Tema station is a critical point for regulating and measuring gas supply to thermal plants in Ghana.

WAPCo emphasized its commitment to resolving the issue as quickly as possible. “We are conducting thorough investigations and addressing the operational challenges to restore normalcy,” the company said.

In the meantime, GRIDCo and ECG have urged consumers to conserve electricity wherever possible to ease the burden on the grid. They have also advised customers to rely on official updates to stay informed about the situation.

The power providers reiterated their commitment to minimizing the impact of the disruptions and restoring normal operations as soon as possible.