Ghana’s state-owned electricity company has announced a three-week power outage due to a reduced gas supply from Nigeria.
The reduction is because of maintenance work by a Nigerian gas supplier, which has caused a decline in power generation across Ghana.
To manage this issue, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has initiated load shedding, meaning electricity will be distributed in turns to different areas.
This reduction in gas supply is also affecting customers in Togo and Benin, as the gas is transported by the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo).
President Nana Akufo-Addo recently curtailed electricity exports to neighboring countries due to the local power shortage.
Ghana is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a decade, which has worsened the power shortages.
Adding to the financial challenges, the state power company owes private electricity suppliers $1.6 billion.
This highlights the ongoing financial difficulties faced by the electricity sector in Ghana.
Despite having hydro and thermal power sources, Ghana relies heavily on gas for electricity.
Inadequate maintenance of the country’s infrastructure is exacerbating the energy crisis.
Last year, private electricity suppliers threatened to halt operations due to unpaid arrears, reflecting the severe financial strains within the sector.
