Bui Power to boost grid with 50MW solar energy

The Bui Power Authority (BPA) is adding another 40 megawatts (MW) solar on land and 10MW floating solar onto the national grid by the end of October, this year, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, has said.

He said efforts were also underway to acquire lands around substations in Bawku, Sawla, Tumu, Buipe, Tamale and Zebilla for similar projects.

These developments, Mr Dzamesi explained, formed part of the BPA's renewable energy initiative to increase viable renewable energy in the energy mix of the country.

Addressing the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the BPA in Accra last Friday, Mr Dzamesi said the construction of a 50MW photovoltaic (PV) solar facility with substation improvements in Yendi was ongoing.

The project, he said, would be at about 8 per cent completion stage by the end of the year, adding that 30MW of the 50MW would be inaugurated in October this year.

Commitment

Mr Dzamesi said the BPA was committed to the development of solar PV in the northern regions of Ghana.

The BPA CEO said procurement for feasibility studies for run-off-the-river hydroscopes on the Pra, Ankobra and Tano in the Western Region and a small mini-hydroscope on the Wli waterfall had also commenced this year.

He said the study would provide the needed consideration for possible future developments.

“From increasing our footprint in renewable energy capacity to partnering innovative solutions, good corporate governance, enhanced operations and improved revenues, each milestone has brought us closer to our vision of becoming the sub-regional leader in renewable energy generation,” he said.

Mr Dzamesi added that “Our dedication to sustainability and cutting-edge technology has not only driven our success, but also solidified our commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.”

He said environmental sustainability continued to remain at the forefront of the Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) efforts of the authority.

In that regard, he said through investment in renewable energy projects and carbon offset programmes, the authority was reducing its carbon footprint and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Additionally, he said the conservation initiatives were preserving precious ecosystems and biodiversity, and ensuring a healthy planet for future generations.

He said the premier initiative addressing climate change, the Forest Resource Enhancement Programme, was dedicated to fostering a responsible use of forest resources and reforestation efforts in the blackwater basin and other parts of the acquired lands.

That programme, he explained, was pivotal for both mitigating climate impacts and adapting to them.

“Additionally, we implemented these forestry management practices across 1,423 acres of newly established plantations to safeguard our investments,” he stated.

Galamsey

Mr Dzamesi further expressed concern at the galamsey practice which, he said, continued to be a menace and noted that several letters had been written to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor,  “but we are yet to see some action from them”.

He said the BPA security guards, through the assistance of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), conducted a swoop between Bamboi and Buipe this year to apprehend and expel illegal miners.

Touching on the operations and financial performance of the authority, the CEO said their supply of 1,516 gigawatts of energy to the National Interconnected Transmission System for the year was two per cent lower than that of the preceding year.

That, he said, remained their all-time high of 1,547 gigawatts per hour.

He said it translated into a total revenue of GH¢157.1 million, which was lower than the previous year's revenue of GH¢158.8 million, representing a decrease of one per cent.

Renewable energy

A Deputy Minister of Energy, John Kobina Abbam Aboah Sanie, observed that BPA’s commitment to expanding renewable energy capacity was exemplary and in line with the national vision for a sustainable energy future.

He said in 2023, the BPA demonstrated great leadership in renewable energy through the successful development and expansion of the true 250-megawatt peak solar hydro hybrid project.

That initiative, which included land-based and floating solar PV plants, according to Mr Sanie, was a testament to the BPA's innovative approach to maximising power generation.

He said the project not only strengthened the energy security of the country but also showcased the potential of the country as a leader in renewable energy within the sub region.