The ongoing load shedding exercise has intensified in the past week due to the breakdown of some key thermal plants and the extremely low water levels in the Akosombo, Kpong and Bui dams.
The Volta River Authority’s (VRA) Kirk Koffi on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday said the level of water in the Akosombo dam “is one of our major problems…the level is such that we have to manage it till the inflow comes…we never got good inflow last year and the year before so as we speak now, the level is very low.”
[contextly_sidebar id=”9ZtQBUlnbqHnZ2QMLARkkp8sJEs7RYbQ”]For about two weeks now, the load shedding exercise has intensified, raising concerns about the failure of the power producers and distributors to give accurate timelines for the exercise to consumers.
Here are the reasons for the intensified load shedding;
1. Asogli plant is down to half capacity which is equivalent to about 90 megawatts.
2. Cenite; which is another thermal plant in Tema is also down meaning, the nation has lost 100 megawatts of power.
3. TICO, was also down with one machine but came on last week and that was also another 100 megawatts.
4. Low water levels in Akosombo
5. Low water levels in Bui
6. Low water levels in Kpone
All these have collectively contributed to the intensified load shedding exercise by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The VRA boss however mentioned that the Authority’s thermal machines in Tema are available and running.
“Our thermal machines in Takoradi are available and running and those in Takoradi are running on Ghana gas reliable since November. VRA is using Ghana gas on all its plants…”
He gave the assurance that his outfit is close to commissioning a 220 megawatt plant in Kpone near Tema and by March 2015, it will come on stream.
The VRA, he said was seriously working with government to bring in some emergency generation to help alleviate the challenges consumers are facing.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @osamidan