The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has cautioned that there is a possibility of the government having to import additional power to augment local energy generation.
This warning comes in response to the recent announcement made by Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited about the closure of its 560 MW power plant due to the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) failure to meet its outstanding payment obligations.
The IES disclosed that even before this shutdown, Ghana had been importing power for the past four weeks. In an interview with Citi News, Nana Amoasi VII, Executive Director of IES, emphasized the critical need for sustainable solutions to safeguard Ghana’s energy supply.
“In the past four weeks, power imports have mainly been sourced from Cote d’Ivoire.” At the time when we were importing electricity, Sunon Asogli was producing over 400 megawatts daily.
The impact of the shutdown may not have been fully realized or observed due to the inclement weather.
However, as the weather improves, the effects of the shutdown may become more apparent in the days ahead. You may recall that on approximately December 4th of last year, Sunon Asogli ceased operations for the first time. The ministry took prompt action to resolve the situation.
However, on this occasion, they are opting to begin by importing power and potentially consulting with Sunon Asogli. Starting from a certain point is necessary, but it is unlikely that ECG will be able to address their issues within a few months. An increased investment in operational resources, enhanced expertise, and minimized political intervention are needed to effectively tackle these issues.
