The Vice President and Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has commissioned Phase 2 of Ghana’s first micro-hydropower plant.
Phase 2 saw the addition of a 75-kilowatt hydropower turbine to the existing 45-kilowatt turbine at the Tsatsadu Generating Station in Alavanyo Abenehease, within the Hohoe Constituency of the Volta Region.
The Tsatsadu Generating Station was designed, developed, and constructed by engineers of the Bui Power Authority (BPA).
An intake structure was installed in the spillway to divert part of the flow of the Tsatsadu River through a steel penstock to two hydropower turbines that produce 45 and 75 kilowatts, respectively. Power produced from the station feeds into the national grid.
Bawumia emphasized the critical need for Ghana to prioritize renewable energy as a means of reducing electricity costs, underscoring his vision of investing in solar energy if elected President.
He stated that, the successful completion of the Tsatsadu Generating Station affirms his commitment to increasing the country’s power generation capacity by adding 2,000 megawatts of solar power.
This, he said, is aimed at reducing electricity costs by 50% within the first four years of his government, while ensuring industries have sufficient power supply to expand and drive economic growth.
“Today, my confidence has been further enhanced that it is possible. I have every confidence that, working with the Bui Power Authority, within the first four years, we are going to go all out and introduce 2,000 megawatts of solar power into the national grid,” he stated.
Bawumia also commissioned the Tsatsadu Center of Excellence, which will serve as a learning center for tertiary students interested in practical training in hydro-generating plants.
The Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power Authority, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, said the idea of constructing the Center of Excellence was conceived by his predecessor, Fred Oware, and former Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu.
“Under their leadership, the 45 kW micro-hydro plant was constructed solely by Ghanaian engineers from the Bui Power Authority and funded entirely by internally generated funds of the BPA,” he added.
Mr. Dzamesi also announced that construction will soon begin on a 3MWp hydro plant at Wli Waterfalls to generate electricity for the Hohoe Constituency.
“BPA is determined to be the leader in renewable energy in this country. As I speak to you, BPA will add 105 MW of solar power to the energy mix by November this year, including 50 MW in Yendi, 50 MW in Bui, and a 5 MW floating solar project in Bui, the first of its kind in Africa.
“All these projects were undertaken under the Nana Addo/Bawumia government. So, when you talk about adding 2,000 MW of solar to the grid, I assure you it is possible, and under your presidency, it shall be done,” he said.
The Railways Minister and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Hohoe, John Peter Amewu, encouraged voters in his constituency to appreciate the government’s efforts in developing the area and to vote for the NPP on December 7.
He also urged traditional authorities to support Dr. Bawumia’s presidential bid to allow him to fulfill his promise of “revoking the Chieftaincy Act to give Chiefs the authority to adjudicate disputes in their localities.”
Source: Fred Quame Asare
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