Government has said that electricity supply disruptions will be limited even as scheduled maintenance by the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo)reduces gas flows to thermal power plants, at a time when power demand has risen sharply.
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition and the Ghana Grid Company said the mandatory maintenance, scheduled for today, January 18, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., will temporarily cut gas supply to thermal plants in Tema. Such maintenance typically lowers the volume of gas available for power generation, which can constrain electricity output.
GRIDCo said in a statement issued on January 17 that the exercise is a safety requirement aimed at ensuring the long-term reliability and integrity of the gas supply infrastructure, adding that it forms part of routine operational requirements critical to sustaining safe gas transportation across the pipeline network.
The maintenance comes amid heightened pressure on Ghana’s power system. Electricity demand typically increases between January and April as higher temperatures drive greater use of cooling systems, often forcing system operators to ration power during peak periods. In recent weeks, parts of Accra have experienced intermittent outages linked to the surge in demand.
To mitigate the impact of the gas supply cut, GRIDCo said alternative fuel arrangements have been put in place to support power generation during the maintenance window. “Adequate alternative fuel arrangements have been put in place to guarantee the continuity of power generation and to maintain a stable electricity supply throughout the duration of the works,” the statement said.
Stakeholders across the energy value chain are expected to remain engaged throughout the exercise, with close monitoring to ensure the work is completed on schedule. GRIDCo apologised for any inconvenience the maintenance may cause and appealed for public cooperation, saying the exercise is being carried out in the interest of national energy security.
