The Chamber of Independent Power Producers, Distributors and Bulk Consumers have commended the Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, for his candour and readiness to address the challenges in the energy sector.

Speaking at the 4-day Energy Sector Work Programme retreat at Ada in the Greater Accra Region, the Minister was reported to have said that the country ought to generate enough electricity to meet the demands of the growing population and urbanization.

“This statement only affirms our stance for the past two years that there is no such thing as excess capacity. Our position is that if it truly exists, then the transmission utility is the cause or the limitation and thus, we should be seen strategizing to generate sufficient power to meet the growing demands in the country”, the IPPs Chamber stated in a statement signed by its Chief Executive, Elikplim Komla Apertogbor.

The Chamber further said said the enhancement in the national grid is a platform to shore up consumption by the unserved and the growing demand.

“Against the backdrop of the minister's statement, we do expect that the critical players in the sector will collaborate to find lasting and sustainable solutions to this growing demand, and make the sector less volatile”, it explained

“It is our expectation that this call by the minister [Dr. Opoku Prempeh] will pave way for the lifting of the ban on the signing of Power Purchase Agreements in order to pave way for negotiations with respect to the additional generation”, it added.

It however expects future decisions and negotiations to incorporate financial sustainability and resilience of value chain related issues.

It therefore stand ready to provide guidance in the planning process when necessary.