President Mahama to inaugurate first phase of Bui Hydro power
President John Dramani Mahama is expected to inaugurate the first phase of the Bui Hydro-electric Power Project at Bui in the Brong-Ahafo Region on Friday, May 3.
Four transmission lines are being constructed to transmit power from the Bui generating plant to the national grid, through four GRIDCo substations in Sawla, Techiman, Kintampo and Sunyani.
Development of the Bui Hydroelectric Power Project on the Black Volta at the Bui Gorge had been the subject of many studies including those of J.S. Zhuk Hydro Project in 1966; a feasibility study by Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC) of Austria in 1976; and another feasibility study by Coyne et Bollier of France in 1995.
Besides a resettlement and community support programme, the project was designed primarily for hydro power generation, development of an irrigation scheme for farmers in the area and to create an opportunity for enhanced eco-tourism and fisheries.
The main project which was expected to cost about $622 million began in 2007 with a concessional loan of $263.5 million from the Chinese Government and a Buyer’s credit of $298.5 million from the EXIM Bank in addition to government’s contribution of $60 million.
Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, on a visit to the site two weeks ago, expressed optimism that the Bui Power Authority (BPA) and Sinohydro, Chinese Construction firm working on the project would be able to complete the project on schedule and start delivering the expected 133 mega watts of power to the country
He also expressed the hope that two other on-going power generation plants in other parts of the country would be completed by the end of the year.
Mr Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, Chief Executive Officer of BPA, said with 92 per cent of work completed the project would be on stream by the end of the month.
He commended Vice President Amissah-Arthur for the visit saying it would encourage the workers to improve on their performance and hence complete the project soon.
Mr Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, Minister of Energy and Petroleum who accompanied the Vice President, said so far $700 million had been spent on the project.
Source: GNA