Energy Minister says country to add 534 megawatts to power output end of 2013

By the end of 2013, Ghana plans to add about 534 megawatts (MW) to the current power output which stands at 2311 MW.

As at May 31, 2013, the country brought on stream a  total of 267 MW and according to the government it is happily on course with its electricity generation roadmap.

At a press conference in Accra July 4, 2013, Ghana’s Energy Minister Mr Emmanuel Kofi Buah, highlighted some power generation additions executed by the government in the first five months of the year.

“132 MW from the Takoradi 3 thermal plant, 133MW from one unit of Bui Dam and 2MW solar plant in Navrongo,” Mr Buah told the press.

Mr Buah assured that “By the close of 2013…we would have added a total of 534MW when the remaining two units of Bui come on stream bringing total installed capacity to 2,845.5MW.”

In 2014, he said the government will add a total of 342MW with the completion of 220MW Kpone thermal power plant; 110MW Takoradi II expansion project and another 12MW solar plant. Mr Buah adds “This will bring total generation to 3,187.5MW.”

According to the Minister, a total of 1,060MW is expected from four planned projects in 2015 and in 2016, 1,711MW is expected from additional seven planned projects, bringing aggregate generation capacity to 5,958.5MW.

These planned capacities, Mr Buah noted will be provided by the Volta River Authority (VRA), Bui Power Authority (BPA) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

The Energy Ministry is said to be reviewing the enabling environment to attract prospective developers to the power sub-sector.

By Ekow Quandzie