VRA to increase production to 1020 megawatts

Akosombo (E/R), Mar. 6, GNA - The hydro electric power being generated from the Akosombo Dam has increased from 912 mega-watts to 1020 mega-watts as a result of the rehabilitation of the six turbines of the dam and the modernization of the units.

This was announced by Mr Joshua Ofedie, Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority (VRA) at the handing over ceremony of the project at Akosombo on Friday.

He said the project, which cost 120 million dollars was jointly financed by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, which provided 57 per cent of the cost, while the VRA provided the remaining funds from its own resources.

Mr Ofedie said with the completion of the project, the country would soon stop the importation of power from la Cote d'Ivoire, saying with the current cost of electricity, VRA could recover the amount it spent on the project within three years.

Mr Ofedie said VRA technical staff would use the experience gained to modernize both the Kpong Hydro Electricity Dam and the Takoradi Thermal plant.

He expressed the appreciation of VRA to the project management consultants, ACRES International of Canada and the construction firms, General Electricals of Canada and Voest Alpine of Austria.

The VRA Director of Hydro Generation (HG), Mr Kirk Koffi said the project started in 1992 but had to be suspended for some time and restart again in 1999.

He said because of the role of Akosombo Dam in the generation of power in the country, in all phases of the project, Ghanaian engineers were attached to the foreign workers to under study them to enable them to maintain the equipment when the foreigners leave.

Mr Koffi assured that the completion of the project would enable the Akosombo Dam provide at least, 25 years of reliable and trouble-free electricity generation for the country.