By Kwame Bediako
Nana Amoasi Vll, the Executive Director of the Institute for Energy Security, in a recent interview on GTV’s Breakfast show, raised significant concerns about the impending energy sector crisis, commonly referred to as “Dumsor,” that Ghana is currently grappling with. His insights shed light on the complexities surrounding fuel supply and its implications for energy generation in the country.
Amoasi emphasized the critical role of fuel supply in energy generation, stating, “With fuel supply that could impact on generation. But then, where is the fuel coming from?” He pointed out that Ghana primarily relies on imported fuel, making a crucial distinction between natural gas and liquid fuels. He elaborated that natural gas is not only more affordable but also environmentally friendly, making it a preferred choice for power generation.
Highlighting the sources of natural gas, Amoasi noted, “We either source them from Nigeria or from our own indigenous fields.” He explained that power plants in Ghana predominantly operate on natural gas. However, he cautioned that when there are disruptions in the natural gas supply, the country must resort to more expensive and less environmentally friendly liquid fuels, which are largely imported.
Amoasi further confirmed that power plants are operational, primarily using natural gas. However, he warned of the vulnerabilities in the system, stating, “We don’t have adequate stock of liquid fuel.” He stressed that any disruption in the natural gas pipeline could leave Ghana exposed, forcing a reliance on liquid fuels that the country may not be financially prepared to procure.
