Limited Gas Supply Causes National Blackout in Ghana
A significant portion of Ghana is facing power shortages, leading to widespread darkness, primarily due to a shortage of gas needed to operate the machinery required for energy generation, as reported by the BBC.
The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has reported a supply gap of 550MW during peak times at the Tema power plant near the capital city, Accra. Ghana is currently grappling with one of its most severe economic downturns in recent memory. While power outages have been a recurring issue in the country, this particular shortage is the worst experienced in the past two years.
A study published in June 2023 revealed that Ghana’s energy supply is in a critically unstable state and is at risk of plunging into a power crisis. The Centre for Socioeconomic Studies (CSS) conducted this research, pointing to the nation’s financial challenges exacerbating the power situation, with potential for further deterioration in the coming years.
Independent power producers in the country threatened to cease their operations in July 2023 due to unpaid debts from the state-owned Electricity Company of Ghana. GRIDCo, the power company, has attributed the reduced energy supply to limited gas availability at the Tema power plant. The reasons for the disruption in gas supply and the estimated duration of the shortage were not disclosed.
Related Posts
Ghana has experienced periodic power outages for several years, colloquially referred to as “dumsor,” which means “on and off” in the Akan language.
Much of Ghana’s electricity supply is derived from thermal and hydropower sources, many of which are currently facing maintenance challenges.
