Switch to gas caused erratic power supply

Deputy Minister of Power, John Jinapor, has said the recent erratic power supply being experienced in some parts of the country could be attributed to the result of the current switch from crude to gas to power thermal plants.

There are reported cases of power outages in parts of Accra and Kumasi, but the Ministry has explained that since retrofitting works on the FPSO are complete, the thermal plants have to be switched to enable it receive gas from the FPSO.

Addressing a press conference in Accra last week, Mr. Jinapor explained that “For some of the thermal plants, you have to switch them off completely, allow them to cool down, work on them and commence the process of switching, and in the process of switching, you could have some initial challenges.

That is why you see a bit of a system disturbance.” He explained that although the demand and supply for power is now corresponding, there i a slim margin when it comes to their reserves hence the erratic supply.

He assured that things would improve when all the thermal plants are up and running. “We envisage that in the coming days, the situation should improve and all things being equal, once we have been able to fire all the thermal plants, we should be able to return to normalcy.”

Mr. Jinapor also debunked speculation that a shortage of crude oil was causing the erratic supply of power noting that, “Even as of yesterday [Tuesday], we discharged a parcel of crude in both Tema and Takoradi and we have proceeded to order another parcel of crude.”