Starting today, Monday November 25, 2024, Ghana’s energy sector will encounter increasing difficulties as prominent energy producers reduce their electricity supply. Among these producers are Karpowership Energy, AKSA Energy, and Cenit Energy Limited.
The development raises concerns of potential blackouts for businesses and households with the festive season looming.
Currently, Amandi Energy and Karpowership have successfully disconnected from the national grid. Meanwhile, AKSA Energy has significantly decreased its load capacity from 370MW to a mere 58MW.
Market analysts are concerned about this significant development, which could potentially lead to a deficit of around 450MW on the grid.
This development exacerbates the already dire situation, as Sunon Asogli and Amandi Energy, two Independent Power Producers (IPPs), have also stopped operations.
Sunon Asogli’s shutdown is being attributed to the failure of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to settle outstanding debts. On the other hand, the government claims that Amandi Energy is currently undergoing maintenance with no specified end date.
Last week, Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, CEO of the Chamber of Independent Power Producers, cautioned that without prompt payment to the IPPs, three more power plants may face shutdown soon.
This financial impasse has worsened the nation’s power crisis, leading to frequent outages, also known as dumsor, which have been disrupting economic activities. ECG is increasing their efforts to tackle the debt crisis.
According to reports, the company has changed its payment schedule from monthly to weekly in an effort to clear outstanding debts with Sunon Asogli and other electricity producers.
As the holiday season nears, stakeholders are carefully observing if these actions will help maintain a steady power supply and prevent a potential energy crisis.
