VRA assures public of adequate power supply

Accra, Nov. 28, GNA - The Volta River Authority (VRA) on Friday said the careful combination of power from the Akosombo Generating Station, the Kpong Station and the Takoradi Thermal Plant showed that adequate power would be provided to meet the electricity demand to customers for the rest of this year and 2009, barring any unforeseen major supply contingencies.

A statement signed in Accra by Mr Kofi Asante Okai, Director, Special Duties, VRA, said as a result of significant inflows into the Volta Reservoir at the end of the flood season last month, there was a rise of more than 21 feet in the water level which peaked at 266.36 feet.

It said the total inflow recorded was 45 million acre feet (MAF), which represented 48 per cent above the long term average (LTA) inflow of 30.5 MAF. This is the highest level reached during the past 17 years. The statement said it had to be noted that the minimum operating level of the Volta Reservoir was 240.00 feet and the maximum operating level is 278.00 feet.

It stated that given the volume of inflow, and the available hydro and thermal generating capacities, the overall generating capacity exceeded the peak demand.

The statement emphasized that the present load cannot be met solely from the hydro electric generating sources and therefore thermal complementation continued to be a crucial strategy in VRA's electricity supply planning and power production.

"Thus, the new VRA 127 MW Thermal Plant at Tema currently undergoing commissioning tests will be brought into service as soon as the plant is ready for commercial operations," it added. The statement said the VRA would continue to promote and support a programme of energy conservation and demand-side management as an integral part of the overall strategy to reduce waste and inefficient use of electricity as well as ensure the long term sustainability of power supply.

On the basis of the foregoing operating strategy, the VRA stated that from the perspective of power generation, there was adequate supply capacity to meet demand throughout the nation before, during and after the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections on December 7. The VRA thanked customers for their support and cooperation throughout the year and wished them Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.