The Ghana Electricity Authority (GHA) has issued a stark warning, demanding a thorough investigation into a concerning trend of recurring 330kV line trips across Ghana, with the potential for nationwide power outages. Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Benjamin Boakye, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the current situation presents a significant risk to the nation’s energy security and stability. According to Boakye, the recurring incidents, particularly following a recent blackout in parts of Ghana on Thursday, highlight a systemic issue requiring immediate attention.
The incident was traced back to a trip in power transmission lines at Akosombo, a critical substation located near the Volta Region. While the switchyard at Akosombo is currently considered a temporary fix, preventing a complete system collapse, Boakye cautioned that it will not address the fundamental causes driving these repeated interruptions. He explained that the trips trigger a cascade effect, where increased loads are transferred to smaller lines and eventually destabilize the entire power system. ‘As far as I understand,’ he stated during a Saturday, August 22nd interview with Newsfile on JoyNews, ‘the total blackout in certain areas could be rectified if the switchyard at Akosombo were to be utilized, but it wouldn’t stop any line from tripping.’
Boakye underscored the need for a far more detailed investigation beyond simply preventing a complete system failure. He stressed the critical importance of identifying the root causes driving these trips, emphasizing that even a successful switchyard operation cannot guarantee a stable power grid. ‘We have to go beyond simply preventing a collapse,’ he asserted. ‘We need to understand why these trips are occurring, and that often involves complex issues such as grounding and earthing systems. There could be minor faults, significant mechanical issues, or even more serious ground faults, earthing system malfunctions. If we were to conduct a detailed audit, we could isolate these issues and implement targeted measures to address them.’
The investigation, Boakye stated, must prioritize focusing on identifying the underlying causes of these trips, rather than merely addressing the immediate symptom. He proposed a multi-faceted approach involving targeted investments to ensure that disturbances on the transmission network do not cascade across the entire system. ‘Even with a one-size-one line,’ he elaborated, ‘if the 330kV line doesn’t trip, you’re not going to have the 16-1 also tripping. So, we need to delve into the fundamental issues – to isolate the source of these disturbances and potentially implement some investment to isolate fuel plants immediately. There are those disturbances so that it doesn’t cascade to the entire network to cause a nationwide blackout.’
Mr. Boakye further highlighted the potential for a wider range of issues, including minor technical faults, significant grounding and earthing system problems, and even more serious issues like faults within the equipment itself. He emphasized that a comprehensive audit is crucial to pinpoint the specific issues and develop a strategic plan to mitigate these recurring disruptions. The GHA has stated that it is committed to strengthening its power transmission infrastructure and ensuring a reliable and resilient electricity supply for Ghana, and this renewed focus on investigation is a key part of that commitment.
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Source: MyJoyOnline
