At least two Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which contribute to the electricity supply in the country, have shut down due to the government’s inability to pay them for the power they have produced and supplied.
In early October, the Sunon Asogli power plant ceased operations, and recently, Amandi has also shut down production. This situation has contributed to a reduced power supply to the nation, causing frequent power outages, commonly known as dumsor.
However, the acting Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing. David Asamoah, says the shutting down of the Amandi power plant is not due to debts owed by the ECG but is because the company is undertaking internal maintenance.
He said, “Amandi has gone off not because of the fact that we owe them, but because they are undertaking their annual maintenance, which is usually done in November,” he said on Joy News’ Newsfile with Samson Lardy on Saturday, November 23.
Ing. Asamoah explained that his team tried to negotiate with the management of the power producer to postpone the maintenance, but this could not be done due to insurance issues covering the company.
“We met with them [Amandi] and tried to negotiate, but their explanation is that if they delay the maintenance, they will lose their insurance cover for their materials,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, three other power producers—Karpowership Energy, AKSA Energy, and Cenit Energy Limited—have reduced their power supply, raising fears that they may also shut down soon, which would further worsen the dumsor situation the nation is grappling with.
However, the acting ECG MD explained that the power supply from these companies has not reduced significantly as reported.
He explained that, in the case of Karpowership Energy, there was a maintenance issue, which led to a decrease in power generation.
“They have a problem with their pressure control valve, but the good news is that they have flown in an expert to fix it, and it is my hope that by the weekend, if they are able to fix it, Karpowership should be back.”
Karpowership’s contract with ECG is to supply 450 megawatts, but currently, they are supplying only 54 megawatts. According to Ing. Asamoah, “It is because of the valve that needs to be fixed,” and not because of any debts.
He assured the public that these three power producers will not shut down as expected.