The Vice President and Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has inaugurated 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).
During the commissioning of the project, he reaffirmed his commitment to expanding Ghana’s power capacity by adding 2,000 megawatts of solar power if elected president, with the goal of cutting electricity costs by 50% in the first four years and providing reliable power for industrial 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”.
Bawumia also inaugurated the Tsatsadu Center of Excellence, a facility designed to provide practical training in hydro-generating plants for tertiary students interested in renewable energy.
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.