Ghana declines increased power request by Togo, Benin

The government of Ghana has declined a request by neighbours Togo and Benin for urgent increased power supply, officials have revealed.

Ghana currently has a contractual arrangement with the two countries to supply them a total of 90 megawatts on daily basis but only 30 megawatts of that agreement is fulfilled due to Ghana’s own power shortfall which has necessitated a rationing exercise.

The rupture of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) which supplies gas to the Asogli Plant is largely responsible for the stark reduction in Ghana’s power supply to its two neighbours.

At a recent meeting with Ghana’s energy minister, the Minister of Energy of Benin Barthelemy D. Kassa admitted that: “Ghanaians are undergoing power crisis”, but pleaded that “Benin and Togo are in darkness”, adding: “We are desperate and are pleading with the government to supply both countries with more power”.

Mr Kassa, who was the leader of a four-member delegation which held discussions with Mr Buah on Friday March 1, 2013 acknowledged the fact that Ghana was undergoing energy crisis but said: “The situation in Benin and Togo is worse.”

The two neighbours are currently experiencing 12 hours of load shedding on daily basis.

At peak consumption, Ghana needs at least 1,750 megawatts for optimal internal supply. There has been a shortfall of about 250 megawatts since August 2012 when the WAGP burst.

The Takoradi T3 and Asogli plants together with the Bui Dam are expected to shore up supply by about 400 megawatt by April. President John Mahama has promised an end to the load shedding by the middle of the year.

Communications Consultant at the energy ministry Edward Bawa told XYZ News Ghana cannot meet the request of Togo and Benin due to her own crisis.

“…Our minister was very clear with his message to them that look, in Ghana we equally now have serious problems when it comes to power…so in the mean time we are unable to give them any addition," he said.

But the Daily Graphic reported on March 4, 2013 that a communiqué was signed between Ghana and the Beninois delegation to assist the two countries in the near future as more megawatts come on board.

The state-run newspaper reported that: “As part of the agreement, 15 MW of power out of 132 MW will be supplied to the two countries when the Takoradi T3 Plant goes into commercial operation in the next two weeks.

An additional 15 MW of power will be supplied from the Bui Hydro Plant when it goes into commercial operation with its first unit in May”.

It said: “The full contractual quantity of 90 MW continuous will be supplied when the West African Gas Pipeline is back in service”.