In a statement issued on June 13 June 13, 2024, the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCO) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) disclosed that gas supply shortages from Nigeria are to blame and that power disruptions will occur for 21 days.
The statement said.
GRDCO and ECG assured Ghanaians that they are working with other stakeholders in the power sector to use available resources to ensure minimal impact of the supply shortages on consumers.
According to reports, the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo) announced a reduction in the volume of gas available for transport due to the maintenance shutdown of a facility in Nigeria, which affected the supply of consumers in Togo, Benin, and Ghana.
The company disclosed that one of the producers of the natural gas it transports from Nigeria has shut down its facility for three weeks of maintenance, which will reduce gas availability for consumers.
WAPCo operates the 678-kilometre gas pipeline that delivers natural gas from Nigeria to Benin, Togo, and Ghana.
TheCable reports that the gas pipeline begins on land at the Itoki terminal in Nigeria, travels through various points, including Lagos, and then goes underwater to Ghana, Benin, and Togo.Â
Reports say that Ghana has achieved 80% electricity access, being the only West African country with the most improved electricity supply.
Experts believe that the shutdown will affect businesses and households nationwide.
Nigeria is the leading supplier of electricity to about three West African neighbors, including Togo, Benin, and Niger.
The Nigerian government recently restored electricity supply to Niger after cutting off power due to a military coup in the country.
The country also reportedly owes Nigeria about N4 billion in electricity costs.
TimesNow.com.ng reported that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is set to enhance power supply to domestic consumers following its orders directing the System Operator (SO) to cap supplies to international customers by 6 percent of domestic supplies.
The affected countries include Togo, Benin Republic and the Niger Republic.
The development comes amid a high level of indebtedness and non-remittance of electricity bills supplied to the countries over the years.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
