Minister inspects Alavanyo hydro power project

The Minister for Energy, Mr John-Peter Amewu, has inspected a newly completed mini hydro power project at Alavanyo Abehenease in the Volta Region.

The $400,000 project, which was expected to beef up power supply to the township, was commenced in 2005 but stalled until its resumption in 2017.

Built by the Bui Power Authority, the project, which is currently undergoing tests is expected to be replicated in other parts of the country.

The turbine, generator and capacity building were funded by UNIDO/UNDP through the China-Ghana South-South Co-operation on Renewable Energy Technology Transfer Project.

Ghanaian engineers

Mr Amewu, following a tour round the 42KW mini hydro power project, expressed satisfaction with the work done by the Ghanaian engineers.

"This work was done by Ghanaians. The Engineers were trained from our local universities and it goes to show the can-do Spirit of Ghanaians," he said.

He indicated that the facility would serve as a research center for the whole of the sub region where people would learn about how hydro mini power is generated".

The Design Manager at Bui Power Authority, Mr Alex Okae-Acheampong, who doubles as the Project Manager of the facility said an additional 60 KW capacity turbine was expected to be added to the plant to boost power generation.

He explained that the operation of the plant would have a minimal environmental interference since it was a renewable energy project.

"It does not require water storage as it is a run off the river scheme," he added.

The generating station

Collaboration

The Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power, Mr Fred Oware, commended the chief and people of Alavanyo Abehenease for their collaboration with the authority to get the facility completed.

In his remarks, the chief of Alavanyo-Abehenease, Togbe Komla Kunde V, praised the government for the initiative and also asked that hostels be built to accommodate visiting students and other researchers.