GRIDCo, ECG attribute power outages to Tema Thermal plant shutdown

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Intermittent power outages in parts of Ghana have been attributed to disruptions at the Tema Regulatory & Metering Station, managed by the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo).

This disruption has led to the temporary shutdown of key thermal power plants in Tema, a vital hub for the country’s energy generation.

In a joint press release issued on December 11, the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) explained that WAPCo’s station had been temporarily shut down due to “operational upsets.”

These upsets occurred after an unusually high amount of liquids and debris were received at the Lagos Beach Compressor Station, part of WAPCo’s gas transportation infrastructure.

This unexpected influx of materials disrupted the normal operation of the station, halting the supply of natural gas to the thermal power plants in Tema, which are crucial for electricity generation.

As a result, there has been a shortfall in power supply, prompting GRIDCo and ECG to implement limited load management measures in various regions of the country.

Load management, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor’ in Ghana, involves planned power outages in certain areas to balance the demand and supply of electricity.

While GRIDCo and ECG have not specified the exact areas affected, reports from residents suggest that the outages have been disruptive, affecting both residential and commercial activities.