The Executive Director of the Institute of Energy Security (IES), Nana Amoasi VII, has raised strong concerns over how the non-transfer of gas from the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) could lead to widespread power shortages in the coming days.

According to Nana Amoasi VII, the deferral of vital maintenance, coupled with past government inaction, could precipitate an energy crisis from January 20th to February 16th, 2025.

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In a Facebook post by Nana Amoasi VII on Wednesday, January 8, he stated that the maintenance operation in question, known as "pigging," is a routine but essential process that involves cleaning and inspection of the pipeline to prevent blockages and ensure the smooth and efficient flow of natural gas.

He added that the original scheduled date for the maintenance was October 2024, but it was then postponed under the previous administration, and now, with the work slated to begin on January 20, the delay is expected to result in a significant energy deficit of approximately 1,100 MW, impacting the country’s electricity supply.

As the pipeline undergoes the "pigging" process, gas flow to power plants is likely to be severely restricted, potentially causing an extensive blackouts and prolonged power outages.

Nana Amoasi also highlighted the previous government's failure to secure alternative liquid fuels for power plants located along the eastern corridor regions that rely heavily on natural gas, which has worsened the situation.

Without sufficient supplies of Light Crude Oil (LCO) to compensate for the shortfall in natural gas, the country’s energy infrastructure could face serious operational challenges.

"Additionally, the lack of preparation for alternative fuel supplies, such as Light Crude Oil (LCO), further exacerbates the situation, leaving the country in a precarious position" the post read

The WAPCo pipeline is a lifeline for Ghana’s electricity generation, and its failure to maintain the infrastructure could lead to irreversible damage to the pipeline, escalating gas shortages, and rising operational costs for power producers.

He also emphasized that timely maintenance and the procurement of alternative fuel sources are critical to avoid a protracted energy crisis.

He further stated "Without these measures, the new administration will face the challenge of allocating significant resources to secure the country’s energy supply and mitigate the potential for extended power outages".

However, he advised that the new government should resort to negotiating with WAPCo to postpone the exercise to afford it the space to procure alternative fuels, to avoid further repercussions.

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