Energy crisis looms as Akosombo levels drop

Amid all the pomp associated with the 40^th anniversary celebration of the VRA the water level of the Akosombo dam continua to drop by the day giving strong indication that Ghana may face yet another energy crisis as it did occur in 1997/8.

Since November 21, 2001 water level at the dam has been falling gradually from 249,96ftto 249.52ft as at last Wednesday. As at press time the level had steadily dropped from 249.52ft. to 249.38ft


At the same period last year, the water level stood at 261.80ft.settlement on the banks of the lake, evaporation, silting and inconsistent rainfall pattern are some of the factors that have largely accounted for the drop of water in the dam.


This development according to an energy expert is not a good sign, because it could plunge the nation into another power crisis which would adversely affect the economy.


In 1997/8when the water level at the dam was 236.93ft. as at 3rd - 9th June, the nation was plunged into energy crisis and darkness for a sustained period


The maximum operating capacity of the dam is 278ft and the lowest or minimum operating capacity is 248ft. the Director of Hydro Generation Department, Mr. Stephen Doku in a telephone interview with Buiness & financial Times ( B&FT) acknowledged that but for supplies from neighboring Cote d’ Ivoire, the Aboadze Thermal Plant and Kpong dam the nation could have witnessed a situation reminiscent of 1997/8.

VRA the country’s number one energy producer; generate 71 percent energy weekly from the Akosombo dam 13 percent from Kpong,9 percent from the Aboadze Thermal Plant and Cote d’Ivoire supplies 7 percent. However figures vary according to so many factors.


But the Director of Public Relation, Volta River Authority (VRA). Mrs. Ellen Essilfie, Says VRA still has the capacity to generate what consumers require.She told B&FT that there was no cause for alarm, since the Aboadze Thermal Plant would be playing a Complementary role to ensure that the country did not experience what happened 4 year ago.


But an energy expert says this would be at cost, since the thermal plant relies on light crude oil to generate power.


VRA’s own estimates indicate that a total of $200 million will be needed to buy light crude for Aboadze plant next year to facilitate its operation. Cote d’Ivoire will also continue to supply Ghana power as government prepare to pay its $50 million debt.


The Aboadze Thermal Plant was purposely built to use oil and gas, but the latter’s purpose has not been utilized since the west African gas pipeline project is expected to be completed around 2004

VRA’s Mrs. Essilfie said the authority will increase its power generation from 8, 500 gegawattsto 8, 800 gegewatts by 2002 because demand is expected to go up slightly. 5, 200 gegewatts of the current 8, 500 gegewatts is source from hydro. Energy crisis looms as Akosombo levels drop


Amid all the pomp associated with the 40TH anniversary celebration of the VRA the water level of the Akosombo dam continua to drop by the day giving strong indication that Ghana may face yet another energy crisis as it did occur in 1997/8.


Since November 21, 2001 water level at the dam has been falling gradually from 249,96ftto 249.52ft as at last Wednesday. As at press time the level had steadily dropped from 249.52ft. to 249.38ft


At the same period last year, the water level stood at 261.80ft.settlement on the banks of the lake, evaporation, silting and inconsistent rainfall pattern are some of the factors that have largely accounted for the drop of water in the dam.


This development according to an energy expert is not a good sign, because it could plunge the nation into another power crisis which would adversely affect the economy.

In 1997/8when the water level at the dam was 236.93ft. as at 3rd - 9th June, the nation was plunged into energy crisis and darkness for a sustained period


The maximum operating capacity of the dam is 278ft and the lowest or minimum operating capacity is 248ft. the Director of Hydro Generation Department, Mr. Stephen Doku in a telephone interview with Buiness & financial Times ( B&FT) acknowledged that but for supplies from neighboring Cote d’ Ivoire, the Aboadze Thermal Plant and Kpong dam the nation could have witnessed a situation reminiscent of 1997/8.


VRA the country’s number one energy producer; generate 71 percent energy weekly from the Akosombo dam 13 percent from Kpong,9 percent from the Aboadze Thermal Plant and Cote d’Ivoire supplies 7 percent. However figures vary according to so many factors.


But the Director of Public Relation, Volta River Authority (VRA). Mrs. Ellen Essilfie, Says VRA still has the capacity to generate what consumers require.She told B&FT that there was no cause for alarm, since the Aboadze Thermal Plant would be playing a Complementary role to ensure that the country did not experience what happened 4 year ago.


But an energy expert says this would be at cost, since the thermal plant relies on light crude oil to generate power.

VRA’s own estimates indicate that a total of $200 million will be needed to buy light crude for Aboadze plant next year to facilitate its operation. Cote d’Ivoire will also continue to supply Ghana power as government prepare to pay its $50 million debt.


The Aboadze Thermal Plant was purposely built to use oil and gas, but the latter’s purpose has not been utilized since the west African gas pipeline project is expected to be completed around 2004


VRA’s Mrs. Essilfie said the authority will increase its power generation from 8, 500 gegawattsto 8, 800 gegewatts by 2002 because demand is expected to go up slightly. 5, 200 gegewatts of the current 8, 500 gegewatts is source from hydro.