Minister of Energy Amb. Henry Macauley has said they are working assiduously to produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity for the whole country.
He said the reason is very simple “by the time we would have completed 200 to 300 megawatts, you will discover that within six months it will not be enough again, because the consumers will buy more electricity appliances that they never had during the survey.”
The minister said to achieve this they are working now to set up a 60 megawatts thermal plant at Kingtom that will come on line around the second quarter of 2017. “Also the Charlotte, Bankasoka and Makali mini hydros will be handed over to us by end of this year as they too will join the grid.”
He also said the West African Power Pool too is coming to add to the grid and that China Power have completed survey at Bikonko where they will produce 150 megawatts and the Mange survey is still on as that one in Kambia will produce 100 megawatts.
“We are now at the final stage to get Bumbuna II to kick-start as most of the studies and documentations have almost completed and very soon we will see improved electricity across the country.
He however apologised to the populace for not doing enough sensitization on the implementation of the GST as he said it came from the pressure of IMF and they have no other alternative but to implement it beginning 1st September.
Talking about EDSA, he said they are buying electricity reasonably and sufficiently. “This has to do with EDSA’s ability to purchase electricity and it impinges on its credit worthiness and credibility. IPP’s that are willing to sell power to EDSA want to make sure they will be paid and will ask EDSA for bank guarantees and other forms of security to protect their investment. This is a challenge if EDSA is considered an unviable customer.”
The second point the minister mentioned about EDSA is that when they buy from EGTC they have to sell at a price above what they bought so as not to go bankrupt. This he said has to do with EDSA earning enough revenue to pay its bills and the Regulator EWRC adjusting the Tariff as and when necessary to meet with charges in the cost of producing electricity, such as World Market price for fuel, Foreign Exchange rates which affect cost of spares, etc.,
Minister Macauley said using energy saving bulbs will help households to consume less energy and that is a project that EDSA will have to embark on as they have done the experiment on the different types of bulbs.
“We will show you what you save in electricity costs when you use the right bulbs. You also help protect our environment when you use the right bulbs. This way, we will all consume less, pay less bills and have more electricity to share around to more customers.”
Speaking about electricity theft, Amb. Henry Macauley said they have realised that as they try to change the status quo of electricity poverty, electricity crimes and other areas of malaise that have plagued this sector for decades.
“We are stepping on some toes of those who have been benefitting from a perennially comatose sector. We will face bouts of calumny and opposition from those with selfish interests.”
He said they will remain undaunted and focused to make sure that the public enjoy the luxury of electricity always.
“We also realise that we are already, some would say, in the Political Season. This exacerbates critical information mismanagement. We plead that electricity should not be politicised. If we work together, we can leave a changed electricity landscape as a legacy for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”
Tuesday October 04, 2016