The Volta River Authority (VRA), managers of the Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Power Dams in the Republic of Ghana, has stated categorically that it will continue the ongoing spilling of water from the Akosombo Dam until the water level returns to normal.
According to the state-owned largest power generation company, halting the ongoing spillage would threaten the integrity of the dam and the consequences could be devastating.
“The VRA will continue to monitor the inflows into the Akosombo reservoir and make a decision to close the spillage when the situation suggests so,” Ing Edward Obeng Kenzo, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Engineering and Operations at VRA, said at a press conference which was attended by the VRA CEO, Mr Emmanuel Antwi -Darkwa, Ing Ken Arthur, Deputy Chief Executive in-charge of Services, and Hon Herbert Krapa, Deputy Minister for Energy, in Akosombo last Thursday.
He noted that the ongoing spillage is not the first time in the history of the Akosombo Dam, stating that similar exercise was undertaken in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1991 and 2010.
He explained that these were all done to prevent the water from overtopping the dam.
Giving details about the level of volume of water which has necessitated the spilling, Mr. Abdul Koore Wahab, Manager in charge of Generation and System Planning said the volume of water in the Akosombo Dam currently stands at about 150 billion cubic meters.
According to him, VRA intends to spill the excess which is about 6,600 cubic meters.
He said as of Thursday, October 11, they had leaked about 0.4 cubic meters, representing less than one per cent.
Mr. Abdul Koore Wahab noted that the tracking of inflows into the dam at the moment indicates a level exceeding its operational of 276 feet.
According to him, their forecast indicates that the water level would rise to about 277.50 feet by November if nothing is done.
He warned that Ghana would lose the biggest dam in the West African nation if the water level rises to 277.50 feet.
The ongoing spillage has displaced hundreds of residents in parts of Greater Accra and Volta Regions who are living downstream of Akosombo Dam.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com