The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) maintenance shutdown is beginning to bite, leading to intermittent power outages that are disrupting business operations across the country. The routine maintenance, which started on February 5 and is expected to last until March 2, 2025, has left the country short of sufficient power to meet demand, particularly during peak hours.

A significant number of power plants that rely solely on gas have been left idle due to the lack of gas supply. The High Street Journal‘s checks reveal that the power supply shortfall amounts to about 1,400 megawatts, as gas-dependent plants such as Karpowership, Amandi, one unit of Asogli, Centi, and some plants owned by the Volta River Authority (VRA) are unable to generate power without gas.

WAPCo is currently undertaking maintenance on the gas pipeline that transports natural gas from Nigeria to Ghana. This routine maintenance had been delayed multiple times, but once it commenced, gas supply to thermal plants in Tema from Nigeria, along with the reverse flow of gas from Takoradi to Tema, ceased. As a result, the deficit in power supply has led to power outages, especially during peak times, affecting businesses’ ability to operate smoothly.

The Ghana Grid Company Ltd (GRIDCo) had previously assured the public that measures would be put in place to prevent widespread power outages, commonly referred to as “dumsor,” during the maintenance period. However, the reality has proven otherwise, as not all power plants can switch to alternative fuel sources.

In a joint statement, GRIDCo and the Electricity Company of Ghana Ltd (ECG) confirmed that, under the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition‘s leadership, significant volumes of liquid fuel had been secured to power key plants in Tema as a stopgap measure. However, the liquid fuel solution is only viable for some plants, leaving others that are solely dependent on gas unable to function, leading to a significant power supply shortfall.

Industry experts have expressed concern that the situation could worsen if the rains do not fall in sufficient amounts to replenish water levels at the Akosombo and Bui dams, which are key contributors to the current country’s power generation.