Gas Pipeline Maintenance: Government Guarantees Actions to Ensure Fuel Supply

On Wednesday, the government of Ghana assured the public that steps are being taken to ensure the continued availability of liquid fuels during the scheduled maintenance of the West African Gas Pipeline. This routine maintenance, set to begin in January, is vital as the pipeline, which transports gas from Nigeria to Ghana, plays a crucial role in supplying thermal plants that generate electricity for the nation.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Special Aide to the President, provided this update following a key meeting chaired by Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff at the President’s Office. The meeting brought together key players in Ghana’s energy sector to discuss the upcoming maintenance and the possible impact on fuel supply. The maintenance shutdown of the pipeline was scheduled to take place over the course of January, requiring a shift to liquid fuels to ensure uninterrupted power generation.

Ofosu explained that it was essential for the government to stay informed and take action to manage the energy situation, particularly in relation to fuel supply during the pipeline’s downtime. He stated that the government would ensure regular briefings on the situation so that all involved parties could explore alternative options for fuel supply during the maintenance period. He added that it was critical for the government to be fully briefed and to know exactly what could be done in this circumstance.

To address this urgent matter, a technical committee had been formed, comprising representatives from the key energy sector stakeholders in the country. Ofosu revealed that the committee had been tasked with preparing and presenting a detailed plan to the government by the end of the day. The plan was to outline the specific actions required to secure enough liquid fuels to power thermal plants and ensure that the energy supply remains stable throughout the maintenance period.

Ofosu reassured the public that the government was taking the situation seriously and would implement all necessary measures to avoid any disruptions in the country’s fuel supply or electricity generation. He further noted that the maintenance, known as the “pigging” exercise, was originally scheduled for October of the previous year. However, the government requested a postponement until January 20 to allow sufficient time for the procurement of alternative liquid fuels to power the thermal plants during the gas supply interruption. He explained that this delay was intended to prevent any negative impact on electricity generation.

The Special Aide also acknowledged that although assurances had been given earlier by the then-President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, regarding the procurement of alternative fuels, the promise had not been fulfilled. As a result, responsibility for addressing the situation had shifted to the current government, which, according to Ofosu, was now fully engaged in finding solutions to the issue. He emphasized that President Mahama and his government were committed to responding effectively to the fuel supply concerns and would implement appropriate measures to resolve the situation.

Frank Okyere, Director of System Operations at GRIDCo, added that the urgency of the meeting was driven by a notice from the West African Gas Pipeline Company about planned maintenance activities. Okyere explained that this maintenance exercise, which is carried out periodically to ensure the pipeline’s integrity, involves shutting down the section of the pipeline that supplies gas to thermal plants in Tema. The maintenance is expected to last for approximately one month, which necessitates the use of liquid fuels during this period.

Okyere also clarified that while there are some liquid fuels available, they are not enough to cover the entire duration of the maintenance. Therefore, efforts are being made to secure additional volumes of liquid fuels to ensure that power generation continues smoothly without any interruptions. He stressed that maintaining the integrity of the gas pipeline was a critical task, but the availability of sufficient liquid fuels was equally important to ensure that the power supply remains stable.

In conclusion, the government of Ghana is taking the necessary measures to ensure that fuel supply remains uninterrupted during the routine maintenance of the West African Gas Pipeline. With a technical committee working to address the situation, the government is focused on securing enough liquid fuels to power thermal plants and avoid any disruption to electricity generation. The coordinated efforts of the government and energy sector stakeholders are aimed at safeguarding the nation’s energy supply during this maintenance period.