Three power plants to cease operation if … – IPP CEO
Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, the IPP’s chief executive officer, has alluded to the impending closure of three power plants due to arrears owed to the Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
He claims that the government has not fulfilled its obligations to settle the $259 million debt due by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, Dr. Apetorgbor issued a warning that the three major power plants will stop operating by the following week if the problem is not fixed.
“If nothing is done by the end of this week, next week, three key power plants will shut down,” he warned.
Deciding not to identify the impacted plants he stated, “For now, it’s confidential but I can tell you if nothing is done, three key IPPs will be shutting down as well.”
In response to inquiries regarding efforts at reconciliation, Dr. Apetorgbor downplayed their significance, claiming that reconciliation would not alter the current state of affairs.
“For us, we are up to date with our numbers so we know what we are talking about. Government does not even know how to account for the power sector figures… so you don’t even have to trust figures coming from them,” a report by myjoyonline.com said.
After the government and Sunon Asogli renegotiated their agreement, Ghana’s electricity supply is anticipated to stabilize, according to Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam.
Financial disputes between Sunon Asogli and the ECG led to the former briefly ceasing operations; this new arrangement attempts to address the power outages.
Dr. Adam assured the public of increased electricity stability by confirming that an agreement had been reached.
He went on to say that this revised agreement with Sunon Asogli is a component of a larger restructuring project that involves other IPPs.
However, Dr. Apetorgbor responded by casting doubt on the veracity of the Minister’s assertions.
As three more IPPs are scheduled to close next week, he contended that the public would witness proof if the Finance Minister’s claims were true.
“I have made it clear that those statements he made were actually political. He cannot produce any agreement that he has signed with any IPP. If he has, let him share it with the public,” he added.
