Energy Minister Explains recent Power Crisis …Says ‘Dumsor’ Is Over

Mr Peter Amewu, the Minister for Energy, has said the recent power challenges faced by a section of the public has been a coincidence of events in power supply in recent times.

At a media briefing in Accra on Monday, Mr Amewu said there were fuel supply challenges for generation of power in the East, adding that, Nigeria gas stopped flowing due to low pressure in the line to Itoki (a community in Nigeria) on November 22.

Prior to that there was a tripping off at Jubilee and the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) adding that, the said challenges has been addressed.

He added that the country also experienced delay in the vessel delivering fuel (HFO) to the Karpowership and this combined with unavailability of gas from Nigeria, meant that about 800 megawatts (MW) of available power generation was wasted.

Mr Amewu said 800MW of power is lost during peak periods due to challenges related to gas supply but the government is making efforts to ensure that the Karpower receives the required energy supply to operate at optimal levels for electricity production.

At the end of the week, Mr Amewu revealed there would be an increased volume of 80 mega cubic feet of gas from Nigeria compared to the 30 mega cubic feet coming in due to some supply challenges.

Mr Amewu also refuted claims by the Minority that the current power outages were as a result of accumulated debt.

According to him, plans are far advanced in addressing the disagreements in pricing for the transporting of gas between power ministers in West Africa.

The Gas Transport Agreement, he stressed will make way for easy transport of gas to the agencies responsible for power generation.