Mahama engages Independent Power Producers to avert power crisis

President John Dramani Mahama convened an emergency meeting with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) on Monday, January 13, 2025, to address Ghana’s escalating energy challenges. The meeting sought to resolve the financial difficulties threatening the stability of the power sector, including the government’s $1.2 billion debt owed to IPPs as of October 2024.

The unresolved arrears have put significant strain on the relationship between the government and the IPPs, which are crucial to maintaining the national grid’s electricity supply. Several IPPs have warned of potential shutdowns if payments are not made, raising concerns about an imminent energy crisis.

President Mahama’s dialogue with the IPPs is seen as a critical step toward easing tensions and finding solutions to the financial impasse that jeopardizes the nation’s power supply.

The IPPs, grappling with months of unpaid invoices, have voiced concerns about their ability to sustain operations under the current conditions. The risk of plant closures has heightened fears of widespread power outages.

Compounding the situation, the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) recently announced a scheduled maintenance shutdown of its gas pipeline, which supplies fuel to many of Ghana’s electricity plants. While initially expected to exacerbate the energy crisis, WAPCo has postponed the shutdown by two weeks, offering a temporary window for intervention.

This brief delay provides an opportunity for the government and energy stakeholders to address the pressing financial and operational challenges in the sector.

President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving the debt crisis and safeguarding a stable power supply for Ghanaians, emphasizing the urgency of working collaboratively to avert further disruptions.