Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - The Volta River Authority (VRA) on Friday said the shut down of the Takoradi Thermal Power Station (TTPS) on August 4, this year was due to the delay in the delivery of fuel to the station.
A statement the VRA issued in Accra said production has, however, started since August 11, after the plant had received fuel that was to be delivered on July 12 rather got to it on August 6, 2003. It said the TTPS operated a buffer stock of fuel that could last up to three weeks.
It said because of the prevailing high cost of crude oil (30 dollars per barrel), the increased level of thermal generation and financial constraints, the plant was unable to maintain the level of reserve stock.
"This implies that any delays in the delivery of fuel could result in the shut down of the Station'' the statement said.
It said notwithstanding the shutdown of the TTPS, electricity supply to the country was not adversely affected because of VRA supplemented with hydro generation output from the Akosombo and Kpong Generating Stations as well as power imports from La Cote d'Ivoire to meet the demand in full.
