Dumsor: Angry Kpone residents threaten to lock up Sunon-Asogli plant

Ghana’s power sector might suffer another jolt should irate residents within the Kpone enclave carry out their threat to lock up the Sunon-Asogli power plant, which is located in that area.

The youth are angry about the irregular power supply to the area despite their proximity to the independent power producer, which supplies about 180 Megawatts to the national grid.

They are demanding preferential treatment, since they are hosting the power plant.

They have also given the management of the company a five-day ultimatum to explain to the inhabitants, details of the plant’s contractual agreement with the traditional leaders there.

Apart from their threat to lock up the Plant, the angry youth have also vowed to organise a naked demonstration over the situation if the company keeps taking them for granted.

President John Dramani Mahama toured the plant early this month to inspect progress on an ongoing construction work that will enable the plant generate some 360 megawatts of power.

The Independent Power Plant owned by Shenzhen energy (60%) and China-Africa Development Fund (40%), has an installed capacity of 200 Megawatts.

Ghana’s energy crisis has worsened in recent years, with the authorities blaming the situation on low water levels in the Akosombo, Bui and Kpong dams and lack of gas to power the country’s thermal plants.

Between 440 and 650 Megawatts of power is shed during off-peak and peak periods, instead of a planned 250 and 350 Megawatts.