VRA to procure back-up generating set

Akosombo, Aug. 29, GNA - The Volta River Authority (VRA) is to secure a 120-megawatt emergency power plant at Tema as a back-up for the supply of electricity next year should the inflows into the Akosombo Dam fail to come.

The current water level in the dam, which stood at 236.77 feet is said to be the lowest ever in the history of the Akosombo Hydro Power reservoir for the period.

The emergency plant capacity to be installed early next year together with the amount of energy that would be stored as a result of the ongoing rationing of electricity is expected to be used to meet next year demand for power.

Briefing the media on Tuesday during a visit to the Dam at Akosombo, Mr Kirk Koffi, a VRA Director of Hydro Generation, said this year had witnessed an unusual trend of inflows saying, "August has almost ended but the level has not started picking up."

He said the load management programme was timely because it would help to optimize the use of the available water in the reservoir to bring the lake to an appreciable level to restore normalcy soon. Mr Koffi said prior to the problem VRA was generating enough power that was meeting the national demand of about 1,400 megawatts. He said as part of the long-term measure, a 300 megawatts plant estimated at 300 million dollars would be installed at Tema in the next two years.

Mr Koffi said even though VRA exported power to Togo and Benin it also imported some from Cote d' Ivoire. However, he said the Ivorian authorities had recently cut down the amount of importation to 30 megawatts. Mr Koffi said the way forward required that consumers reduced their consumption levels through productive and efficient use of energy. 29 Aug. 06