Theophilus Tetteh Ahia, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of the Volta River Authority (VRA), has affirmed that the VRA is not intimidated by competition in the energy sector.
His remarks come in the wake of opposition from VRA staff groups who are resisting a proposed draft bill that seeks to merge the VRA with the Bui Power Authority, combine the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), and establish an independent Thermal Power Authority from VRA's thermal plants.
Proponents of the merger argue that it would make state institutions more competitive in the energy market and also reduce VRA's monopoly of the market.
However, Mr.
Tetteh, speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, September 4, emphasised that competition already exists, and the VRA exists to serve as a guide to measure what tariffs the IPPs (Independent Power Producers) bring up. "We have a lot of private entities in the electricity space.
We have more than eight private power generators in the electricity market today which are almost about 40-42% of the energy generation in this country.
So, VRA has not stopped any of them, it is rather making the competition cleaner. "Because VRA was born for the people of this country and VRA's running thermal also serves as a guide to measuring what tariffs the IPP (Independent Power Producers) are bringing up.
If you take all the thermals from the Volta River Authority and you give it to the IPPs who is going to be the check?
VRA is not afraid of competition, the competition is already there. "As we speak, licenses have been given to other power generators who are building power plants.
So, VRA is for the security and the economy of this country," he stated.