Though mechanically complete, the Kpone Thermal Plant is yet to start full operation as a result of defects in some key components noticed during pre-commissioning.

According to engineers, most of the components have become old since expansion works began in 2012.

They had estimated work to be fully complete by November, this year, to add 221 megawatts of power to the national grid.

“The project has traversed its course and we are now in advanced state," noted the Project Manager, Francis Yaw Agbenyor.

“The entire plant’s erection is mechanically complete and we are now doing pre-commissioning or testing of the machines in order to commission the plant.”

The Kpone Thermal Plant will run on natural gas or diesel. Most of its components were acquired in 2006.

The defective components are posing a challenge to engineers, who are planning to replace them as soon as possible in order to see a full completion of the project.

“Because of the long storage of the equipment, we are having challenges with the commissioning in terms of sensitive components [and] is becoming defective and malfunctional.”

The situation casts a dark shadow on expectations that the current power crisis would ease.