By Elorm Yao Aryee
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has commissioned Phase two of the Bui Power Authority’s Tsatsadu Micro Hydropower project at Alavanyo in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region. Phase two of the project has increased the Authority’s Tsatsadu Generation Station’s capacity from 45 kilowatts to 120 kilowatts onto the national grid.
Vice President Bawumia noted that the project forms part of the government’s efforts to diversify the country’s energy mix to decrease the dependence on oil and gas for electricity generation.
Phase two of the Bui Power Authority’s Tsatsadu Micro Hydropower project is a 75 kilowatts hydropower plant at the Tsatsadu Generating Station of the Authority at Alavanyo -Abehenease in the Hohoe Municipality.
Phase one of the project, which is a 45-kilowatt power plant, was commissioned by President Akufo-Addo in 2020. Phase two of the project was solely built by Ghanaian engineers with funding from the Bui Power Authority.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is on a five-day campaign tour of the Volta Region to solicit votes to win the December 7 general election, also inaugurated the Tsatsadu Centre of Excellence. The Centre forms part of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of the Bui Power Authority.
The multipurpose building is designed to enhance social activities of the local community and to be used as a learning centre for engineering lecturers and students who undertake educational tours of the Tsatsadu Micro Hydro Generating Station. Inaugurating the two projects, Dr Bawumia reiterated his manifesto pledge to add two thousand megawatts solar power to the country’s energy mix when given the mandate to be President.
He stated that the intent forms part of his plans to shift the country’s reliance on oil and gas to renewable energy, which is safer and more affordable.
“One of the factors that is limiting our expansion in terms of economic activities and the creation of jobs is the cost of electricity. If the cost of electricity is high, then companies find it difficult to expand, and if companies don’t expand, they don’t create jobs. And so for cost and environmental reasons, Ghana has to be looking at renewable energy like solar, hydro, and wind. We have to look at ways to bring down the cost of electricity for households and businesses,” Vice President Bawumia said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power Authority, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, said the centre of excellence is built to accommodate engineering students from universities who want practical training in hydro generating plant. He disclosed that the Authority will soon introduce a solar energy project in parts of the country to boost power production through renewable energy.
“As a result of the experience gained from this project, we will be commencing a 3MW plant at the Wli waterfall early next year under your Presidency. This will ensure smooth power to Hohoe and its environs. I state here that the design of this project still allows the beauty of the Tsatsadu waterfall for tourism. The Bui Power Authority is very determined to be the renewable energy leaders of this country. As I speak to you, BPA will add 105 MW solar power to the energy mix by November this year. 50 MW at Yendi, 50MW at Bui, and 5 MW floating solar at Bui, the first of its kind in Africa,” Mr Dzamesi said.
The Minister for Railways Development, John Peter Amewu, who is the Member of Parliament for the Hohoe Constituency, initiated the Centre of Excellence project when he was the Energy Minister. Mr Amewu reiterated his commitment to initiate more projects to better the lot of his constituents.
The Chief of Alavanyo-Abehenease, Togbe Komla Konde, on behalf of the traditional area, thanked the Authority for the project and its positive impact on the community.