The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) will begin issuing short-interval power outage schedules as restoration works at the Akosombo Hydroelectric Plant continue to evolve rapidly, Energy and Green Transition Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has announced.
The move comes as engineers work intensively to restore full generation capacity following recent disruptions, making it difficult to maintain traditional long-term load-shedding timetables.
Speaking at a government accountability forum, Mr Jinapor explained that the fluid nature of ongoing repairs means power generation levels can change within hours, requiring constant updates to outage schedules.
“But because it is fluid… we cannot do weekly publications,” he said, noting that engineers are working around the clock to bring all plants back online within the week. “We can only provide you with very short interval periods.”
He emphasised that the current situation differs from routine load management, where outages are planned in advance and follow predictable timelines.
Real-Time Adjustments to Power Supply
The Minister revealed that outage schedules are being revised even within the same day as new capacity is restored.
He cited a case where a timetable issued in the morning had to be updated later after about 140 megawatts of power was brought back into the system.
This, he said, highlights the need for more responsive communication to reflect real-time developments in power generation and distribution.
“We would not live in denial. When we face challenges, we will tell Ghanaians,” Mr Jinapor stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to transparency.
Improved Communication and Public Updates
To enhance information flow, ECG will now provide more frequent updates, coordinated with the Ministry of Information to ensure wider dissemination. The Minister added that he has directed ECG’s leadership to maintain consistent communication across all regions.
According to him, John Dramani Mahama has also instructed the ministry to prioritise transparency in addressing the power situation, particularly in the wake of disruptions linked to the Akosombo facility.
Mr Jinapor assured the public that engineers are working continuously to restore full generation capacity and stabilise electricity supply nationwide. He expressed optimism that all affected plants would return to normal operation within the week.
The introduction of short-interval outage schedules is therefore expected to provide more accurate and timely guidance to households and businesses navigating the current power challenges.
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