Government committed to addressing erratic power supply

Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Deputy Minister of Energy has expressed government’s willingness to address the erratic power supply in the country.

He said government had embarked on some initiatives as a short term measure and also working assiduously with various sector agencies to address the issue of erratic power supply resulting from overloads and low voltages.

The Deputy Minister made this known during the graduation ceremony of 31 technical engineers to operate the Bui Hydroelectric Plant.

The Bui Hydro Plant, which would begin operations next year, is to compliment the Ministry of Energy’s Policy of ensuring 100 per cent local content in the efficient and effective generation, distribution and management of energy.

Alhaji Fuseini noted that Ghana had recorded an increased electricity generation capacity from 1800 mega watts in 2009 to 2185.5 mega watts with an addition of 375.5 mega watts in 2012.

According to the Minister, the country was still facing challenges relating to capacity within the system during peak periods even though it had increased its electricity generation capacity.

“We are expecting 350 mega watts to be added to the national grid”, he said.

The Bui Hydroelectric Plant is expected to provide an additional 400 mega watts to the electricity generation capacity. In all, government expects to add 750 mega watts of new generating power in the next 12 months.

He congratulated the graduates and urged them to strive towards excellence and also learn further at the project sight.

Mr Jabesh Amissah Arthur, Chief Executive Officer said the operation was exceptional because the Bui Plant was only going to be operated by local people with no foreign assistance.

He noted that, out of the 31 graduates, nine were women, which represented 30 per cent women empowerment in a field that was mostly dominated by male.

“I assure you that, these women have matched their male counterparts boot for boot in every aspect and in some cases have surpassed them”, he added.

“The management and Board of the Bui Power Authority are particularly proud of this achievement and will watch over the work environment to protect this achievement by ensuring that any incidents of intimidation, bullying or harassment of the ladies is promptly and decisively dealt with”, he said.