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Ghana power crisis: Limited gas supply triggers nationwide power outage | Ghana power crisis: Limited gas supply triggers nationwide power outage |
(32 minutes later) | |
The outage follows days of intermittent power cuts in parts of Ghana | The outage follows days of intermittent power cuts in parts of Ghana |
Many parts of Ghana were plunged into darkness due to a lack of gas to power machinery used to generate electricity in the country. | Many parts of Ghana were plunged into darkness due to a lack of gas to power machinery used to generate electricity in the country. |
Power distribution firm Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) says the situation has caused "a supply gap of 550MW at peak time" at Tema power plant, near the capital, Accra. | Power distribution firm Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) says the situation has caused "a supply gap of 550MW at peak time" at Tema power plant, near the capital, Accra. |
This is about 10% of the country's total capacity. | This is about 10% of the country's total capacity. |
The massive outage started on Thursday evening. | The massive outage started on Thursday evening. |
Power has now been restored in some areas but GRIDCo spokesperson Dzifa Bampoh told the BBC there would be more outages on Friday evening, during peak hours. | Power has now been restored in some areas but GRIDCo spokesperson Dzifa Bampoh told the BBC there would be more outages on Friday evening, during peak hours. |
Ghana is currently going through its worst economic crisis in a generation. | Ghana is currently going through its worst economic crisis in a generation. |
There are frequent power cuts in Ghana but this is the worst nationwide outage for two years. | There are frequent power cuts in Ghana but this is the worst nationwide outage for two years. |
A June study said the country's current energy provision was "critically unhealthy and tottering towards a power crisis". | A June study said the country's current energy provision was "critically unhealthy and tottering towards a power crisis". |
The power situation, which could worsen in the coming years, has been exacerbated by the country's financial distress, the Centre for Socioeconomic Studies (CSS) study showed. | The power situation, which could worsen in the coming years, has been exacerbated by the country's financial distress, the Centre for Socioeconomic Studies (CSS) study showed. |
In July, independent power producers in the country threatened to shut down operations over arrears owed to them by state-run Electricity Company of Ghana. | In July, independent power producers in the country threatened to shut down operations over arrears owed to them by state-run Electricity Company of Ghana. |
In a statement on Thursday, GRIDCo, the power operator, said electricity supply to consumers in some parts of Ghana would be curtailed as a result of "limited gas supply" to the Tema power plant. | In a statement on Thursday, GRIDCo, the power operator, said electricity supply to consumers in some parts of Ghana would be curtailed as a result of "limited gas supply" to the Tema power plant. |
"The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted," the statement added. | "The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted," the statement added. |
The GRIDCo spokesperson said it was caused by a problem in supply from Takoradi. | |
Some reports say the issue was that gas suppliers had not been paid. | Some reports say the issue was that gas suppliers had not been paid. |
The power utility firm did not say how long it would take for normal supplies to resume. | The power utility firm did not say how long it would take for normal supplies to resume. |
Ghana has for several years been experiencing power shortages popularly known as "dumsor", which means on and off in the Akan language. | Ghana has for several years been experiencing power shortages popularly known as "dumsor", which means on and off in the Akan language. |
The West African country gets its much of its electricity from hydro and thermal sources, but these are often poorly maintained. | The West African country gets its much of its electricity from hydro and thermal sources, but these are often poorly maintained. |
The country has in the last few years become heavily reliant on gas as a major source of energy for electricity generation and any shortage in gas results in power outages. | The country has in the last few years become heavily reliant on gas as a major source of energy for electricity generation and any shortage in gas results in power outages. |
More BBC stories from Ghana: | More BBC stories from Ghana: |
How Ghana’s rising star plunged into an economic crisis | How Ghana’s rising star plunged into an economic crisis |
How Ghana’s rising star plunged into an economic crisis | How Ghana’s rising star plunged into an economic crisis |
How Ghana's central bank lost $5bn in one year | How Ghana's central bank lost $5bn in one year |
A minister reported a robbery. So why was she arrested? | A minister reported a robbery. So why was she arrested? |
Will $3bn IMF loan solve Ghana's economic crisis? | Will $3bn IMF loan solve Ghana's economic crisis? |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Ghana | Ghana |