Ghana, which heavily relies on natural gas from the West African Gas Pipeline for thermal power generation, faced an imminent power supply crisis due to the planned maintenance.
The postponement offers a vital two-week window for the government and energy stakeholders to develop contingency plans, secure alternative fuel supplies, and minimize the potential impact on electricity supply.
Kodzo Yaotse, Policy Lead for Petroleum and Conventional Energy at the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), in an interview with Vaultz News emphasized the importance of the rescheduling.
“The rescheduling gives us an extra two weeks to plan and turn things around.
“It offers the government time to secure funding and alternatives, ensuring a more measured response to the anticipated disruptions.”
Kodzo Yaotse, Policy Lead for Petroleum and Conventional Energy at the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP)
Yaotse noted that the government could prioritize detailed planning to maximize existing resources. This includes identifying power plants already scheduled for maintenance and bringing alternative plants online to compensate for any shortfalls.
Yaotse suggested that a temporary power rationing plan could help avoid incurring significant costs associated with procuring expensive liquid fuels for electricity generation.
“Instead of spending close to $100 million on fuel for three weeks, we might have to tighten our belts and ration power for the period,” he stated. Such a strategy would help manage costs without compromising long-term energy stability.
For uninterrupted power supply, Ghana could procure liquid fuels to sustain electricity generation during the maintenance period. However, this option is costly, as liquid fuels significantly increase the cost of power generation.
“The ultimate decision will hinge on the government’s ability to balance the need for uninterrupted electricity with fiscal prudence,” he added.
The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) announced a revised schedule for its planned offshore pipeline cleaning and inspection exercise, commonly known as “pigging.”
Initially set to commence on January 20, the maintenance has been postponed by two weeks, providing Ghana and other stakeholders in the region with critical additional time to mitigate potential energy disruptions.
Broader Implications for Ghana’s Energy Sector
The WAPCo pipeline maintenance highlights the vulnerabilities in Ghana’s energy infrastructure, particularly its heavy reliance on natural gas for thermal power generation.
As the country grapples with this immediate challenge, the situation underscores the need for long-term solutions to enhance energy security and resilience.
“Building strategic reserves of fuels, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or crude oil, could provide a buffer during maintenance or supply interruptions.
“Developing such reserves would require significant investment but could prove invaluable in avoiding future crises.”
Kodzo Yaotse, Policy Lead for Petroleum and Conventional Energy at the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP)
Yaotse also indicated that strengthening Ghana’s power transmission and distribution infrastructure is critical to reducing losses and improving efficiency. Modernizing the national grid and ensuring robust backup systems would enhance the country’s capacity to manage periods of reduced energy supply.
Enhancing partnerships with neighboring countries could provide access to emergency power supplies during periods of disruption, leveraging the interconnected nature of the regional energy network.
WAPCo’s decision to revise its pipeline maintenance schedule offers Ghana a critical opportunity to address immediate challenges while reflecting on the structural vulnerabilities in its energy sector.
The additional two weeks provide a valuable window for the government and stakeholders to plan effectively, secure alternatives, and minimize disruptions.
However, the situation also serves as a stark reminder of the need for long-term investments in energy diversification, infrastructure upgrades, and regional cooperation.
Adopting a proactive and strategic approach, Ghana can strengthen its energy sector and ensure greater resilience in the face of future challenges.
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