Akufo-Addo opens 225kv Bolgatanga-Ouagadougou power project

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inaugurated the 225 kilovolts Bolgatanga to Ouagadougou Power Interconnection Project, which will see up to 100 megawatts of power supplied directly to Burkina Faso from Ghana.

At the inauguration ceremony on Friday, 5th October, 2018, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, President Akufo-Addo stated that the successful completion of this project is credit to the strong bonds of friendship and co-operation that exist between our two countries, and long may they continue.

The implementation of the project, one of the priority projects of the West African Power Pool, has also achieved the objective of strengthening regional integration under the ECOWAS protocols and the realization of a Regional Electricity Market.

The Minister for Energy, John Peter Amewu, who was present at the ceremony, told the gathering, which included the President of Burkina Faso, His Excellency Roach Marc Christian Kabore, considering the huge financial outlay for electricity infrastructure, particularly for power generation infrastructure, it is only appropriate that such facilities are shared within the Region.

“Implementation of regional projects, like this 225kv Bolgatanga-Ouagadougou Interconnection one, would allow for the export of power from Ghana to Burkina Faso to serve the purpose of the creation of the West African Power Pool,” the Energy Minister said.

He was hopeful that upon full completion of the 330kv Aboadze-Prestea-Kumasi-Bolgatanga transmission backbone project, the target of 100 megawatts of power to Burkina Faso will be achieved.

“Ghana currently has adequate capacity for cross border transmission to neighbouring countries. Let us, therefore, continue to engage one another to make the necessary investments in order to put up the infrastructure that would enable us utilize the resources within the region to push the industrial agenda of our countries,” John Peter Amewu added.

In conclusion, the Minister encouraged power utility companies in West Africa to intensify their collaboration in the development of projects under the West Africa Power Pool, urging “countries within the region to create the necessary atmosphere in order to attract investments in pursuit of common projects.”