Minister of Ernergy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh
The Minister of Energy, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has assured that the government is on track in providing reliable and affordable power to the citizenry.
In what he described as “yedum siesie,” to wit, the management of the power sector switch off the lights for maintenance purposes, he re-echoed that the current intermittent power outages would soon be over as it is meant to upgrade the power lines.
“With patience and support, this government will deliver its work,” he assured during a press briefing yesterday.
He said mechanisms had been put in place, technically and financially, to ensure that Ghana does not return to the ‘dark days of dumsor’ where businesses and livelihoods were truncated.
“We are on track to fixing our power transmission issues for the short to medium term. This will bring an end to the current transmission induced outages. These technical issues on our transmission lines are being addressed and in the coming days our lights will return to its stable days,” he said.
Power projects
He expressed confidence in the steady progress of the power projects which will bring about increased power supply as well as stand the test of time.
He said the Pokuase Bulk Supply Point (BSP) is 95 per cent complete, and is expected to be fully completed at the end of July 2021, while the Kasoa BSP, which is 60 per cent complete, is expected to be completed by end of August.
Also, the Tema-Achimota Line rehabilitation is ongoing, while the gap in the transmission backbone between Kumasi and Kintampo is to be fixed to complete the transmission system between the coastal part of the country and Bolgatanga.
“We are working to upgrade the infrastructure to ensure that the systems are able to accommodate the load being transmitted,” he added.
On GRIDCO’s transmission development plan, he said the total transmission network capex is valued at $533million, which is made up of three priority categories.
Savings made
Dr Opoku Prempeh said his outfit had saved the nation a whopping $2.761 billion as part of measures to ensure a long-term financial sustainability in Ghana’s power sector.
He referred to the Project Light initiative, which is aimed at renegotiating Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) entered into under the previous government during the power crisis at that time.
This is in a bid to ensure that the country obtains value for money on all agreements as well as the renegotiation of Gas prices from the Sankofa Fields.
“We have made savings on deferment of 3 PPAs, amounting to $1.426billion since 2019, amounting to $475.50million per deferred PPA. The total saving was sufficient to build 62 stadia the size of Tamale Stadium. This is in addition to other savings in the sector amounting to a total of $1.335billion. This brings the total savings to $2.761billion in the energy sector,” the Minister disclosed.
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