The Ghana National Gas Company has debunked rumors that suggested that the two-week shutdown of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant will result in power outages across the country.
According to the Head of Corporate Communications at the Ghana National Gas Company, Ernest Owusu Bempah, the shutdown is strictly for maintenance purposes.
He assured that there is adequate backup gas processing plants “including that of the Sanzule tie-in and the reverse flow that when Atuabo shuts down, we have other gas flow from here to the Takoradi Regulatory and Metering Station and other parts of the country for power generation.”
He further explained that there is also the ENI-Sankofo Sanzule Onshore Gas Receiving facility and the reverse flow from the Western enclave to the Eastern enclave which Asogli is receiving gas at the moment.
“So people should write off this misconception that when there is a shutdown at Atuabo plant then it means that there is going to be power outages.
Mr Owusu Bempah noted that it is very important for Ghana Gas to practice proper routine maintenance works for durability and also to maintain the gas facility protocols. This, he said, includes expansions and replacement of some components in line with international standards that will enable the gas facility to run efficiently.
“So it doesn’t mean that Ghana Gas is not delivering gas to other customers. From Sanzule, through Esiama, Takoradi to Karpowership, to VRA, to reverse flow to Tema, and also to Prestea…they are all receiving gas from Sankofa Fields. And they are now delivering 210 million standard cubic feet of gas.”
