Energy Minister rejects calls for load-shedding timetable

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, has dismissed calls from the Minority in Parliament and some Ghanaians for the publication of a load-shedding timetable, following intermittent power outages in parts of the country.

Addressing journalists at the Jubilee House on Friday, Mr Jinapor maintained that such demands were unnecessary as Ghana was not currently experiencing systematic power rationing, commonly known as ‘dumsor.’

“Today, let me put on record that we are not shedding load and so the demand by the Minority and some people that we publish a load-shedding timetable is moot. When you are not shedding load, there is no need to publish a timetable,” he asserted.

While acknowledging that the power system remains fragile, the Minister insisted that the country has adequate electricity supply, noting that Ghana is currently exporting 300 megawatts of power to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Benin.

“In fact, as we speak, we are exporting about 300 megawatts of power outside Ghana to Burkina, Benin, and neighbouring countries. And so when you have enough and you are exporting power to other countries, obviously there will be no need to publish a load-shedding timetable,” he explained.

Mr Jinapor further assured Ghanaians that the government was taking measures to stabilise the power sector, including securing fuel supplies and making necessary payments to suppliers to sustain operations.

He revealed that the country requires approximately $700 million worth of fuel to meet current demand and address the fuel deficit.

“In order to meet the demand requirements, we require about $700 million worth of fuel in order to fill the fuel deficit because our gas today is inadequate to meet our fuel requirement,” he stated.

As part of long-term solutions, the Minister announced that the government would operationalise the Renewable Energy Investment Fund. This initiative, he explained, aims to expand renewable energy usage, reduce peak electricity demand, and achieve significant cost savings to sustain power generation.

The Minister's remarks come amid growing public concerns over unannounced power cuts, which have affected households and businesses in recent weeks.