Chamber of Independent Power Producers directs members to suspend power supply from July 1
In a bold move to exert pressure on the Government, the Chamber of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) has directed its members to suspend power supply to the national grid from July 1 to July 8, 2023. The chamber, representing prominent players in the thermal power sector, aims to leverage this action to demand the settlement of a significant portion, 30%, of the colossal $2 billion debt owed to them.
According to a leaked email the chamber urged its members, including influential entities such as Sunon Asogli, Cenpower, Karpowership, AKSA, Twin City Energy, and CENIT, to withhold nominations and refrain from declaring availability to the System Operator during the specified period. By doing so, they seek to create a power deficit that could lead to potential electricity fluctuations and, in worst-case scenarios, power outages commonly known as ‘dumsor.’
The chamber’s email expressed gratitude to its members for their unwavering support and declared an unwavering determination to achieve their objectives at any cost. With a cumulative power generation capacity of 2010 megawatts, the IPPs possess significant leverage in this high-stakes negotiation.
While the government has yet to officially respond to the IPPs’ demands, the potential consequences of the power producers’ disconnection from the national grid are cause for concern. Ghana’s energy security hangs in the balance, and the nation could find itself grappling with a perilous electricity shortage if the impasse remains unresolved.
The precarious situation spotlights the inherent vulnerability of Ghana’s power infrastructure and underscores the pressing need for sustainable solutions to address the systemic issues that have plagued the country’s energy sector for years. Without swift action to address the mounting debt and establish a more stable framework for power generation and distribution, the specter of ‘dumsor’ may continue to haunt the nation, thwarting its economic progress and undermining investor confidence.
As the deadline for the IPPs’ action looms, all eyes are on the government’s response, as it navigates the delicate task of striking a balance between meeting the demands of the power producers and safeguarding the nation’s energy security.
