CMS Energy starts up one Ghana turbine

DEARBORN, Mich., March 10 (Reuters) - CMS Energy Corp. (NYSE: CMS) and its Ghanaian power partner, Volta River Authority, said on Friday that commercial operation has started on the first of two light crude-oil fueled combustion turbine generators at the Aboadze, Ghana complex.

Commercial operation of the 110-megawatt unit at the Takoradi Thermal Power Plant was achieved March 1, 2000. CMS Energy holds a 90 percent ownership and operates the facility, which sells its output to Volta River Authority (VRA) under a long-term agreement. VRA holds a 10 percent interest with an option to increase its ownership to a maximum of 50 percent.

Construction continues on a second 110-megawatt combustion turbine-generator as part of phase two of the Takoradi Plant, with completion currently expected by September 2000, the companies said. Both of the new units will be convertible to natural gas fuel.