Deputy Minister for Power John Jinapor has justified government’s continuous purchase of power from Core d’Ivoire.
Figures from Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) revealed that Ghana was importing 185 megawatts of power from Côte d’Ivoire while thermal power plants idle in Ghana.
John Jinapor says buying power from Ghana’s neighbours is more sustainable and cost effective than generating it locally.
According to electricity sector players, Côte d’Ivoire generates thermal power at the cost of 9 cents per kilowatt hour and sells it to Ghana for 11 cents while thermal plants in Ghana sell their power from 14 cents and above.
Deputy Power Minister John Jinapor says the move was a projection by the Ministry’s engineers and “it will help save the country some cost at a time where the country is now relying more on electricity from hydro sources”.
“You do a balancing effect. In business you don’t look at cost alone, but sustainability and all that,” he stressed
According to him, “If for instance you could run 3 turbines but later run out of water, then you need to look at a projection. If it can be imported as a backup and it’s cheap, then we can apply. I trust the engineers and when they come out with these projections and it makes sense, you just accept and apply”.
He believes the move is of mutual benefit to both countries.
“I think that we should encourage the integration of our various countries, share resources and trade the benefits for citizens. I don’t see anything wrong with it,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, energy expert Ishmael Agyekum Hene says if the power is cheaper from Cote d’Ivoire, then consumers must enjoy cheaper power.
“PURC has approved a price which is based on KTPP and all that. So if they are importing power then they should tell us the cost. So, if they are telling us that they are importing from Cote d’Ivoire then they should tell us how,” he charged.
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