Recent discussions regarding the power supply situation in Ghana, from January to date, have raised concerns and drawn attention to the reliability of our national grid. It is crucial to make certain clarifications, based on scientific analysis and best practice, devoid of politics, to ensure accurate information is available to all.
Firstly, it is imperative to address the notion of intermittent power supply currently affecting our communities and businesses. It is avoidable. Reports of such disruptions and causes are not only exaggerated but largely misrepresented by some spokespersons of the utilities and ‘experts’.
The root causes of the inconsistencies in power supply are multi-faceted and are primarily due to strategic planning choices and operational methodologies.
A significant factor contributing to these shortages or intermittency is the excessive exportation of cheap generation from the legacy Akosombo and Kpong hydro plants to SONABEL and CEB, as I have disclosed earlier. The export decision, aimed at maximising commercial gains, has inadvertently impacted our domestic supply capabilities.
To support the economic recovery efforts of the government, the VRA must desist from the cheap electricity export, which could maximise ECG’s revenue making ability and allow the underutilised expensive thermal capacities, which have debt toll on the sector, to be exported to reduce the idle capacity obligations on ECG.
Another significant factor creating the supply gap (shortage in supply) is the bias and inefficient allocation and use of the limited natural gas resource. The continuous allocation of the limited available natural gas resource to the over-aged and inefficient simple cycle thermal plants of Volta River Authority (VRA) has compounded our challenges.
The shortage on the national grid is absolutely avoidable. These plants are significantly less efficient in output compared to the modern combined cycle plants operated by the Independent Power Generators.
By Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor
