Dumsor: $90 Million Needed to Prevent Power Crisis – GRIDCo

Dumsor: Ghana Faces Power Crisis: $90 Million Needed to Avoid Outages

Ghana’s power sector is at risk of a significant crisis due to insufficient fuel supplies for thermal plants. According to a report by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), the government urgently requires nearly $90 million to procure liquid fuels and stabilize the country’s electricity grid.

The report highlights that the funds are critical for purchasing light crude oil and other fuels to keep thermal plants in Tema operational, especially as demand for electricity continues to rise.

What’s Behind the Crisis?

The current power crisis stems from a deficit in generation capacity caused by a maintenance activity known as “pigging,” conducted by the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCO). This exercise, essential for clearing debris and maintaining the pipeline, temporarily disrupted the supply of natural gas to Ghana’s thermal plants.

Without natural gas, the thermal plants require liquid fuels like light crude oil as substitutes, but insufficient fuel reserves have left the country in a precarious position.

GRIDCo’s Proposed Strategies to Address the Crisis

To mitigate the potential fallout from the fuel shortage, GRIDCo has outlined several key measures:

1. Rescheduling Maintenance
   Planned generator shutdowns for routine maintenance will be adjusted to avoid overlaps with the ongoing WAPCO pigging exercise. This ensures that more generation units remain operational during this critical period.
2. Securing Alternative Fuels
   The government must urgently procure light crude oil and other liquid fuels to keep the thermal plants running. This will compensate for the shortfall in natural gas supply.
3. Load Management as a Last Resort
   If the situation worsens, GRIDCo has proposed implementing load-shedding measures to stabilize the national grid and prevent a total collapse. This would only be used if no other options are viable.

Consequences of Inaction

The GRIDCo report warns that failing to address the fuel shortage promptly could lead to widespread and prolonged power outages. This would have severe consequences, including:

• Economic Disruption: Businesses and industries reliant on stable electricity would face significant setbacks.
• Public Services at Risk: Critical services like healthcare and education could be affected by erratic power supply.
• Increased Public Dissatisfaction: Prolonged outages could lead to widespread frustration and criticism of the government.

Stakeholders Call for Immediate Action

Energy experts, businesses, and citizens alike are urging the government to act quickly. Securing the $90 million needed to procure alternative fuels is a priority, as is implementing GRIDCo’s proposed strategies to avert the crisis.

Conclusion

Ghana’s looming power crisis is a critical issue that requires swift and decisive action. With nearly $90 million needed to stabilize the electricity grid, the government must prioritize securing funds and implementing GRIDCo’s recommendations. Proactive measures today can prevent prolonged outages and ensure the country’s economic and social stability.

Addressing this challenge head-on is essential to maintaining public trust and supporting Ghana’s continued development.