The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced that there will be a temporary nationwide power disruption on Sunday, July 13, due to planned maintenance by gas supplier ENI.
The shutdown, described as a necessary step for improving energy output, will involve a temporary closure of ENI’s gas valves to facilitate rehabilitation works.
The company aims to increase gas production capacity to 270 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) once the upgrade is completed.
Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the 161kV Anwomaso to Kumasi Transmission Line, Mr. Jinapor said the brief disruption is a trade-off for a stronger and more stable energy sector.
“This Sunday, ENI will turn off their valves temporarily to increase gas production to about 270 MMscfd. It means that we are stabilizing the energy sector,” he stated.
He acknowledged that the maintenance activity would result in short-term power interruptions, but described it as a sacrifice for long-term reliability in energy supply.
“Because the plant will be turned off for a short period within the day for maintenance works, we are likely to experience some interruption of power. It is for a good purpose,” he said.
The Minister further explained that following consultations with engineers and technical experts, the government has decided not to operate the affected plants on liquid fuel during the shutdown period.
“Based on the advice from engineers, I have directed that we do not attempt to run those plants on liquid fuel for that short period,” he said.
“It involves changing nozzles, it involves a lot of work, and so if we are going off for about four to six hours, you don’t risk transitioning to liquid fuel only to come back to gas.”
Mr. Jinapor assured the public that efforts are being made to minimize the adverse impact of the shutdown, and that teams will be on standby to ensure a quick restoration of normal power supply once the gas supply is restored.
At the same event, the Minister also disclosed a new commercial oil discovery by ENI, while indicating that Tullow Oil is preparing to increase its investment in Ghana’s upstream petroleum sector.
