Another power crisis threat

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Mbadive power cuts are expected as the country's electricity producers are unable to produce enough to meet peak demand of 2,700 MW.

The figures obtained by Joy News show a production deficit of more than 600 megawatts, forcing distributors to ration their electricity in parts of Accra where demand is strongest.

It is believed that the problem is due to the inability of electricity producers to raise funds to buy fuel.

Karpower, which has a capacity of 450 MW, produces 16 MW, Aksa, a capacity of 360 MW, produces 45 MW and AMERI, with a capacity of 250 MW, currently produces 195.32 million euros.

Akosombo operates only two of its six 500 MW turbines, about half of its total capacity of 1020 MW. Bui produces 3.2 MW on a capacity of 400 MW.

At the same time, some power companies remain heavily indebted and have threatened to close their doors a week from now if their debts remain unpaid.

The Chamber of Independent Producers of Electricity and Heavy Consumers (CIPDIB) told Joy News that if a debt of some $ 700 million to its members was not paid within eight days, Ghana would plunged into darkness.

Eliplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Director General of CIPDIB, explained the situation by explaining that the decision to cut power supply was made necessary by the debts incurred in the course of its activities.

These operations, he said, include refueling, maintaining their factories and paying workers.

Attempts to recover these debts were thwarted by PDS. They also failed to respond to their letters of request or meeting invitations to discuss outstanding payments.

These claims are disputed.

The public relations director of the Energy Distribution Service (PDS) denied that the service owed huge sums to independent power producers for their power supply.

Speaking at Joy FM's Super Morning Show, William Boateng also denied allegations that PDS would not have met its financial obligations to independent vendors, since it was not the case. took over the electricity distribution of the Ghana Electricity Company in March 2019.

PDS's director of communications said the PDS had no contract with independent power producers. They are not required to respond to correspondents or to pay them.

"Mr. Apetorgbor has been cheated out there," Boateng said.

Explaining this, Mr Boateng pointed out that PDS had a contract with ECG and had not yet reneged on it.
"We have honored all our concessional obligations towards ECG. ECG gives us wholesale invoices and we pay every week, "he said.