Sunon Asogli shutdown may force Ghana to import more power – IES

The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has warned that the government may be compelled to import additional power to supplement local energy production.

This warning follows the announcement by Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited regarding the shutdown of its 560 MW power plant due to the Electricity Company of Ghana’s (ECG) inability to fulfil its overdue payment obligations.

The IES revealed that, even before the shutdown, Ghana had been importing power for the past four weeks.

In an interview with Citi News, IES Executive Director, Nana Amoasi VII, stated that this situation highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to secure Ghana’s power supply.

“Over the last four weeks, we have been importing power, particularly from Cote d’Ivoire. We were importing power at the time that Sunon Asogli was generating, and daily, they do more than 400 megawatts. Just that we have not realised the impact or seen the impact of the shutdown because of the weather.

“But now that we are getting out of the wet weather, the impact may be felt in the coming days. You will remember that last year around December 4th, they [Sunon Asogli] shutdown for the first time and the ministry intervened swiftly, but this time around they are choosing to start with an importation [of power] and probably go to the deck and meet Sunon Asogli.

“But I think we must start from somewhere, but I don’t believe in two, three months, ECG can address their problems. It requires more of an investment into their operation, more competence as well, and less political interference to address some of these issues.”