- The Ghanaian government assures the public that measures are being taken to ensure a steady supply of liquid fuels during the January maintenance of the West African Gas Pipeline.
- A technical committee has been set up to address fuel shortages during the pipeline shutdown, with efforts underway to secure enough liquid fuels for the period.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2024, the Ghanaian government reassured the public that measures were being taken to ensure a steady supply of liquid fuels during the scheduled West African Gas Pipeline maintenance. This essential maintenance, set to take place this January, is crucial for maintaining the pipeline that transports gas from Nigeria to Ghana, which is used to fuel thermal plants for electricity generation.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Acting Spokesperson for the President, announced a key meeting chaired by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah. The meeting involved several prominent energy sector officials, including representatives from the Energy Ministry, Volta River Authority (VRA), West Africa Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo), Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ghana Gas, and other key organizations.
The pipeline shutdown for routine maintenance has raised concerns over the fuel supply for power generation. Ofosu emphasized the importance of government briefings to ensure a continuous fuel supply during this period. A technical committee was established to develop a roadmap, with a deadline to present their plans by the end of the day. He reassured the public that the government took the situation seriously and would take necessary actions to prevent disruptions.
Initially scheduled for October last year, the maintenance was postponed to January 20 to allow time for procuring alternative fuels (liquid oils) to power the thermal plants during the downtime. Ofosu pointed out that although assurances were previously given regarding the procurement of liquid fuels, the situation had not been fully addressed, leaving the responsibility to the current government. However, he assured that President Mahama, along with the government, would ensure a swift resolution.
GRIDCo’s Director of System Operations, Frank Okyere, explained that planned maintenance was essential to maintaining the pipeline’s integrity. The pipeline, which supplies gas to thermal power plants in Tema, will be shut down for about a month, making it necessary to use liquid fuels to sustain operations. Okyere confirmed that while some liquid fuels were available, additional supplies would be needed to cover the maintenance period. Efforts are underway to secure enough fuel to ensure the critical work proceeds without issues.