Dumsor Fears: WAPCo Delays Planned Pipeline Maintenance By 2 Weeks To Prevent Power Crisis

• The West African Gas Pipeline Company has agreed to postpone its planned pipeline maintenance by two weeks
• The company had negotiations with a government technical committee to address the power crisis
• The Ghana Grid Company had warned that the planned maintenance threatened Ghana's power sector

The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) has agreed to postpone its planned pipeline maintenance by two weeks, averting an imminent power crisis in Ghana.

Citi News reported that this came after negotiations with a government technical committee to address the power crisis fears.

The maintenance, initially scheduled to commence this week, was flagged by the Ghana Grid Company as a significant threat to the country’s electricity supply.

The maintenance in question was initially scheduled for October 2024.

The company warned that ongoing fuel shortages for thermal plants, combined with the disruption in gas supply from the pipeline, would severely cripple Ghana’s power generation capacity.

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At a high-level meeting involving WAPCo representatives, Ghana Grid Company officials, and the technical committee, the stakeholders deliberated on the potential impact of the maintenance on the national grid.

Concerns were raised about the possible reintroduction of power outages, which could disrupt businesses and households nationwide.

Following the discussions, WAPCo agreed to delay the maintenance to allow authorities more time to secure alternative fuel supplies and stabilise the electricity generation.

Before this, the NDC's John Jinapor claimed the Akufo-Addo government had only left five hours' worth of fuel for power generation.

Former Energy Minister Herbert Krapa countered these claims by urging the Mahama government to focus on effectively managing the power sector.

Assurances from Mahama

Subsequently, President John Mahama assured Ghanaians of his government’s unwavering commitment to resolving the energy crisis.

At the National Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Ghana on Thursday, January 9, Mahama said his administration was committed to addressing these issues head-on.

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“There is a threat of power outages but my brothers and sisters, don't despair. You elected us to solve the problems not to put the blame on anybody else.

“I can assure you of some of the ideas they have come up with. We will make sure that your lights stay on and that we do not have dumsor."

Mahama also stressed that the challenges in the energy sector required urgent and collaborative efforts, and his administration is prepared to lead the way in overcoming them.

The government has already set up a technical committee to address the power concerns with directives to present a comprehensive roadmap.

ECG privatisation considered

YEN.com.gh reported that President John Mahama is considering privatising the Electricity Company of Ghana to address current inefficiencies in power distribution.

Mahama expressed these thoughts in a meeting with a World Bank delegation on January 8, 2025.

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A previous attempt to privatise the Electricity Company of Ghana was made in 2019, with Power Distribution Services (PDS) expected to manage the power distribution in Ghana.

However, that agreement was terminated and described as fraudulent.

Proofread by Samuel Gitonga, Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh