WAPCo postpones pipeline maintenance for two weeks

The immediate threat of dumsor (power cuts) has been averted after WAPCo agreed to postpone its planned pipeline maintenance for two weeks.

Ghanaians can breathe a sigh of relief as the looming threat of dumsor has been temporarily averted.

The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) has agreed to postpone its crucial pipeline maintenance for two weeks, according to sources close to an emergency technical committee set up by the Chief of Staff.

This decision comes after the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) raised concerns about a potential power crisis due to insufficient fuel supplies for thermal plants. The planned WAPCo maintenance, coupled with the lack of fuel, would have significantly impacted the country’s ability to generate electricity.

To address the fuel shortage, GRIDCo estimates that Ghana needs nearly $90 million to procure liquid fuel, such as light crude oil, to operate thermal plants in Tema and meet the growing demand for electricity.

The government established the emergency technical committee to find solutions to the impending crisis. After a critical meeting, the committee successfully negotiated a postponement of the WAPCo maintenance.

This temporary reprieve provides valuable time for the government to secure the necessary funding for liquid fuel purchases. It also allows them to explore alternative fuel options and implement load management measures as a last resort to stabilize the national grid if needed.