Several regions in Ghana, as well as parts of the Republic of Benin and Togo, are currently grappling with extensive power outages attributed to disruptions in the supply of gas from Nigeria. This issue has plunged major cities in these countries into darkness, impacting daily life and economic activities.
The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCO), based in Accra, Ghana, recently issued a statement regarding a significant reduction in gas volumes available for transport. This shortage stems from maintenance activities undertaken by one of Nigeria’s gas producers, which has temporarily shut down its facility for a scheduled three-week maintenance period.
According to WAPCO’s announcement, the ongoing maintenance work at the Nigerian gas facility has resulted in a decreased supply of gas that the company can transport to its customers in Togo, Benin, and Ghana. This reduction in gas availability has directly contributed to the current electricity supply challenges experienced across these West African nations.
In response to the situation, both the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have issued a joint communication informing the public about the power disruptions. They stated, “Due to a reduction in gas supply from Nigeria since Wednesday 12th June 2024, some areas across the country have experienced interruption in power supply.” The companies emphasized that the outage is directly linked to the decreased availability of gas caused by the maintenance activities in Nigeria.
“The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited regrets to announce that it is experiencing a drop in gas volumes available for transportation due to ongoing maintenance works by one of its gas producers in Nigeria.
“One of the producers of the natural gas WAPCO which transports from Nigeria has shut down its facility for three-week maintenance, resulting in a decrease of gas available for WAPCO to transport to customers in Togo, Benin and Ghana. The current situation is entirely out of WAPCO’s control.
The impact of these power outages extends beyond inconvenience, affecting various sectors including households, businesses, and public services. Hospitals, schools, and industrial facilities are particularly vulnerable during periods of electricity disruption, highlighting the critical importance of stable power supply for everyday operations and emergency services.
In Ghana, for instance, the effects of the power outages have been keenly felt, prompting concerns about economic productivity and the well-being of citizens. Residents in affected areas have had to adapt to the irregular supply of electricity, relying on alternative sources where available and adjusting their routines to accommodate the uncertainties caused by the ongoing gas supply challenges.
Moreover, the situation underscores broader regional energy interdependencies within West Africa. The reliance on gas supplies transported through transnational pipelines like the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) underscores the need for robust infrastructure maintenance and contingency planning to mitigate disruptions. Collaborative efforts among regional stakeholders are crucial to ensuring the resilience of energy networks and minimizing the socio-economic impacts of such incidents.
Looking ahead, stakeholders including governments, energy regulators, and utility providers in Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Nigeria will need to collaborate closely to address the immediate challenges posed by the current gas supply disruption. This includes monitoring the progress of maintenance activities in Nigeria and implementing interim measures to stabilize electricity supply in affected areas.
In conclusion, the ongoing power outages in Ghana, Benin, and Togo due to reduced gas supply from Nigeria highlight the vulnerabilities inherent in regional energy infrastructure. Effective coordination and proactive measures will be essential to manage current disruptions and strengthen the resilience of energy supply chains across West Africa.
“The West Africa Gas Pipeline Company, in a statement, has explained that the reduction in gas supply was due to maintenance works being undertaken by a gas supplier in Nigeria and is projected to last three weeks”, the statement added.
