VRA begins 150MW wind project

The Volta River Authority (VRA) is undertaking a project that will lead to the generation of an additional 150 megawatts of wind energy to the national grid.

According to Deputy Chief Executive Officer Kirk Coffie, the project forms part of efforts to boost Ghana’s renewable energy in the coming years. VRA recently signed a contract to begin data-gathering activities along some coastal areas of the country. At a breakfast meeting of the Ghana Employers Association (GEA), Mr Koffie said data was being gathered in towns like Ada, Keta, Cape Coast and Winneba.

VRA is undertaking the studies to determine the cost of the project. The Deputy CEO added that data gathering will take 12 months starting from this month after which the wind power will be designed for a year. The project is estimated at GH¢200 million. Further explaining his outfit’s resolve to embark on the project, Mr Coffie indicated that it was prudent for the country to embark on such a project.

“Energy from the wind and the sun has never been in short supply. We are also going to put too much effort in building renewables.” The project will be a joint venture agreement between Ghana and a private firm.

Owing to limited installed grid power capacity in Ghana and the lack of significant potential import, electricity consumption is projected at 14,576.3 GWh. The first unit of the Bui power plant is expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2013 but it is unknown what the current situation is.