The Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has indicated that, some parts of the nation will in May experience systematic power outages.
The Minister speaking at a forum in Accra on Thursday, April 8, 2021, intimated that these outages will come as a result of ongoing upgrade works taking place at the Pokuase and Kasoa substations.
“Just two days ago, I received a letter from Millennium Development Authority (MiDA);who are helping upgrade the Pokuase and Kasoa substations. They informed me that the progress of the substation is such that;in the month of May, there will be systematic power outages.”
Dr. Opoku Prempeh
In light of this, the Minister said his outfit is currently engaging the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to strategize ahead of the expected outages.
“So, we have invited both ECG and GRIDCo. And in the light of that, let us sit and plan and communicate with the people who will be affected;way before it happens.”
Dr. Opoku Prempeh
Although power supply providers such as GRIDCo and ECG say there is no specific timetable for power outages, Mr Opoku Prempeh indicated that in May, power outages would be well ordered and planned.
Moreover, Dr. Opoku Prempeh indicated that, government is finalizing the revision of the National Energy Policy.
“A revised Energy Policy is going through its final processes of consultation. At the appropriate time of approval, it will be made available to everyone.”
Dr. Opoku Prempeh
Ghanaians requested to bear with system upgrade
Prior to this announcement, the Energy Minister appealed to Ghanaians to bear with GRIDCo on the ongoing transmission line upgrade which will cause power cuts.
Also, for the past two months, Ghanaians have constantly expressed worry about the country heading back to the days;of frequent power outages popularly known as Dumsor.
But the Ministry of Energy is saying that the present challenges facing the energy sector would be no more after present transmission lines are upgraded to resolve the issue of congestion.
Mr. Owusu Afriyie, Director in charge of engineering projects for GRIDCo explained that the ongoing works are to ensure that more power load is transported across the region.
GRIDCo, which is Ghana’s power transmitter has in various forums however insisted that the challenges are technical and that the country will not experience ‘dumsor’.
The power supply company said some transmission lines are faulty and for scheduled maintenance works to be done, some areas will need to have their power disconnected.
