As part of maintenance by gas suppliers ENI, there will be a brief power outage on Sunday, July 13, according to Minister for Energy and Green Transition John Abdulai Jinapor. The interruption will come from gas valves being temporarily shut down to make room for repairs meant to boost gas production.
Speaking on July 8 during a groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration of the 161kV Anwomaso to Kumasi transmission line, Mr. Jinapor clarified that short-term power disruptions are anticipated as a result of ENI’s planned maintenance, which will temporarily stop the gas supply.
“This Sunday, July 13, ENI will turn off its valves temporarily to increase gas production to about 270 MMscf. It means that we are stabilising the energy sector,” he stated.
The Energy Minister assured that while there may be some inconvenience, the upgrade will significantly benefit the energy sector by boosting gas supply to the national grid.
“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 stressed.
Mr. Jinapor also indicated that technical advice had been followed in deciding not to run thermal plants on liquid fuel during the short 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. 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,” Jinapor explained.
The public was reassured by the energy minister that every effort is being made to lessen the effects of the power outage. In addition, he said that Tullow Oil has committed to making more investments in Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry and disclosed a fresh oil discovery made by ENI.
Co-funded by the European Union and the French government, the Anwomaso to Kumasi transmission line project is anticipated to alleviate low voltage problems and enhance power efficiency in Kumasi and mining areas like Dunkwa.