The two energy generation facilities had brought on board about 250 megawatts, considerably reducing the load-shedding exercise in many parts of the country, the Public Relations Officer of the ECG, Mr William Boateng, has told the Daily Graphic in an interview.
He, however, explained that the ECG had not yet declared an end to the load-shedding exercise because, currently, there were not enough energy reserves to take care of the needs of the people during routine maintenance programmes or in situations where some of the facilities developed technical faults.
The Bui Dam, which is partially completed, is generating 133 megawatts, while the T3 Thermal Plant, which uses light crude oil to produce power, is generating an additional 110 megawatts.
“The power situation has not been solved entirely, but there is an improvement and we are working hard to sustain it. For now, the load-shedding deficit has been taken care of. What remains to be done is to generate enough power to improve on the country’s energy reserves to reduce intermittent power supply due to technical faults and routine maintenance of GRIDCo facilities,” Mr Boateng stated.
More Ghanaians, he stated, were now expected to experience fewer power outages as a result of the coming on stream of the two energy generating facilities and it was envisaged that the completion of the West Africa Gas Pipeline would bring an end to the energy crisis.
He stated that any power outage that lasted for more than 12 hours was not a load shedding and advised consumers to call the ECG toll free number 0302-611-611 to report any such outage, so that it would be rectified.
For now, Ghanaians could only look forward to improved power supply, Mr Boateng said, adding, “We will never go back to the way it was.”
There have been mixed reactions to the improved energy situation.
While some consumers say electricity supply has been stable over the last two weeks, others say they continue to experience interruptions in their supply.
A resident of Santa Maria in Accra, Ms Ruby Efe Ani-Adjei, told the Daily Graphic that her area had been experiencing power outages similar to those which occurred during the load-shedding exercise, adding, “For me, nothing has changed.”
On the other hand, Mr Emmanuel Appiah of Aplaku, also of Accra, observed that the power situation had significantly improved in the last two weeks.
That view was also shared by Mr Smith Ocran of Dansoman, who indicated that for some time now power supply in that part of Accra had improved.
Source: graphic.com.gh
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