Ghana’s second largest state-owned power generation company – Bui Power Authority (BPA) – has expanded its Tsatsadu Mini Hydro Generation Station with an additional 75 kilowatts, bringing the total to 120 kilowatts.
The first phase, which was 45 kilowatts, was executed when Mr Fred Oware was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BPA; it was commissioned in 2020 by President Akufo-Addo.
It was solely built by Ghanaian engineers at BPA and it has since eased the burden on the national grid, providing reliable energy to Hohoe and its surrounding areas.
Commissioning the project recently, Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, reiterated the imperative need for Ghana to consider renewable energy as a measure in reducing the cost of electricity.
Dr Bawumia, who is the flag bearer for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections on December 7, said the successful completion of the Tsatsadu Generating Station gives credence to his promise of increasing the country’s power generation capacity, by adding 2,000 megawatts of solar power.
According to him, this is aimed at reducing the cost of electricity by 50% within the first four years of his government and ensuring industries have enough power supply to expand their entities to propel economic growth.
“Today, my confidence has been further enhanced that it is possible. I have every confidence that working with Bui Power Authority, within the first four years, we are going to go all out and introduce 2,000 megawatts of solar power into the national grid,” he pointed out.
Dr. Bawumia also commissioned the Tsatsadu Centre of Excellence which would serve as a learning centre for tertiary students who want to undertake practical training in hydro-generating plant.
The CEO of BPA, Samuel Kofi Dzamesie, said the idea of constructing a Centre of Excellence was birthed by his predecessor, Fred Oware.
He said the 45 KW micro hydro plant was constructed solely by Ghanaian engineers at BPA and funded solely by internally generated funds of BPA.
Mr. Dzamesi announced that construction work would commence on a 3-MWp hydro plant at the Wli Waterfall to produce electricity to serve the Hohoe Constituency.
“BPA is very determined to be the renewable energy leaders of this country. As I speak to you, BPA will add 105 MW of solar power to the energy mix by November this year, 50 MW in Yendi, 50 MW in Bui, and 5 MW floating solar at Bui, the first of its kind in Africa.
“All these projects were done under the Nana Addo/Bawumia government. So, when you talk about adding 2000 MW solar to the grid, I assure you that it is possible and under your Presidency it shall be done,” he said.
The Railways Minister, John Peter Amewu, said he spearheaded the expansion of the plant in 2022, nearly doubling its capacity with the addition of a 75-KW micro hydro unit.
“We now have a total of 120 KW of energy capacity, the first of its kind in Ghana. This would not have been possible without the support of Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo) as Energy Minister and Hon. Kofi Dzamesi as CEO of Bui Power Authority who are committed to ensuring the implementation of this project,” he said in a post on Facebook.
According to him, the project aligns perfectly with Dr. Bawumia’s vision to deliver 2000 MW of solar power in the next four years if elected president on 7th December.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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