Electricity production in Ghana has gone through a number of stages since the first power plant in 1914. Commencing with diesel/light crude generators and solitary electricity supply systems owned by big mining companies and factories, to the hydroelectric dams following the construction of the Akosombo and Kpong dams, and now to thermal plants powered by gas and/or light crude oil.
Years ago, a power crisis (electricity generation shortfall) threatened the very livelihood (income generating activities) and lives (lifestyle and health) of our people. It was explained then, that the country's primary power producing hydroelectric dam, Akosombo was low on water levels hence the persistent power outages.
To fix this, the then Kuffour administration embarked on a retrofitting exercise which increased the capacity of Akosombo dam from 912 MW to 1,020 MW in the year 2006.
The construction of a new hydroelectric dam at Bui, to increase the country's generational capacity to meet the increasing power demands that an ever exploding population growth comes with was undertaken by the same administration. This dam upon completion added a total of 400MW of electricity to the national grid.
However, before the Bui dam's construction, the Kuffour administration added several gas/crude powered power barges to increase the generational capacity and also widen the generational mix in order to limit the country's dependence on hydroelectric dams. These barges together with the West Africa Gas Pipeline project providing gas from Nigeria to power them added a total of 1,689MW.
As of December, 2020 the installed capacity of electricity was 5,600 MW far in excess of the peak demand capacity of 3,800 MW.
The current power outages we are experiencing today are as a result of the obselete transmission equipment GRIDCO is having to change. It is a transmission problem not a generational one.
So to answer the question, has dumsor really come?
One must understand that maintenance is a key part of every large scale imdustrial production and electricty is no different. Power will be cut in the process and people will be without light.
Let us all support GRIDCO as we go through this difficult but necessary industrial cycle in our national life
RAYNELLE BOADU
(President, Bold Patriots)
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