Ghana may face temporary power rationing later this month if enough liquid fuel is not secured to replace lost gas supply from the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant during its scheduled shutdown, the President of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, has cautioned.
“Yes, if sufficient liquid fuel is not procured,” Dr. Apetorgbor told The High Street Journal when asked if the two-week maintenance work at the plant could result in load shedding, the controlled reduction of electricity supply to certain areas in turns when generation falls short of demand.
The Atuabo Gas Processing Plant, located in the Western Region, will go offline from August 16 to August 30, 2025, for scheduled maintenance approved by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition. Operated by the Ghana National Gas Company Ltd., the plant processes natural gas from the Jubilee and TEN oil fields and is a major source of fuel for thermal power generation and industrial use.
In a press release, the Ministry said the maintenance “reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the continued safe and reliable operation of the plant” and will involve “critical inspections, repairs, and upgrades to key equipment and systems to enhance the plant’s operational efficiency and performance.”
The Ministry assured that “comprehensive measures, including the deployment of alternative fuel sources, have been put in place to ensure that electricity supply remains stable and uninterrupted throughout the maintenance period.”
However, Dr. Apetorgbor warned that in previous shutdowns, delays in liquid fuel procurement had resulted in rotational power cuts, stressing that timely delivery of alternative fuels such as light crude oil or diesel would be critical.
The Ministry has pledged to provide “regular updates on the progress of the maintenance” and reiterated its “unwavering commitment to maintaining a reliable power supply at all times.”
