Optimal Design of Disaster-proof Critical Infrastructure in the Electricity System; A case study of Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Worldwide there are ongoing concerted efforts to expand access to electricity especially in developing countries, with electricity being touted as an important enabler for socioeconomic transformation. Most of the electrification initiatives are geared towards increasing the number of communities or households connected to the grid. However, in many developing countries including in Africa, those who already have an electricity connection often experience electricity outages with consequences for sustainable development. The frequent outages imply weaknesses in the design and operation of the electricity system – a critical infrastructure. This research investigates the extent to which failures in the electricity system cause power outage occurrences in Accra Ghana, the resultant impacts of power outages on households and the predominant coping measures used by households when faced with outages. Moreover, existing literature shows that the distribution of power outages in communities may be influenced by socioeconomic and political factors. Often, it is those who are already socioeconomically disadvantaged who will face more outages and suffer greater impacts due to lack of sufficient coping capacities. This study uses various datasets (2015 outage statistics, census data and survey data), spatial and non-spatial statistical methods and tools to measure the degree of exposure to outages in different Accra communities, identify common outage impacts and response options in households and their drivers. The results show that, in 2015, Accra communities experienced widespread outages which varied significantly across the communities. The distribution of outages was found to be more influenced by demographic factors (household density and presence of large proportions of minorities) and less predicted by economic factors (wealth). Common outage impacts identified include safety/security issues, economic impacts and disrupted access to social services. Being of a low socioeconomic status, characterized by low education level, low income, and informal employment was associated with less likelihood to report being impacted by outages. Having a high exposure to outages, both in terms of frequency and duration, was generally associated with a high likelihood to report household-level impacts of outages. Other household characteristics, such as living in a large family, seem to diminish the possibility of reporting one kind of outage impact while increasing the likelihood of reporting another kind of outage impact. The study also found that selection of outage coping options in households are generally influenced by the household’s electricity needs/uses. It also supports the general assumption that household economic characteristics impact greatly on selection of coping choices. Availability of some v natural resources also provides potential coping options that households can utilize during outages. The research results provide vital information which can be used to influence decisions and policies towards all-inclusive and sustainable electrification in Ghana and beyond.