The inauguration of the Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Project on Wednesday, April 17th by President Akufo-Addo, is poised to tackle voltage and power quality concerns in Kumasi and northern Ghana.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) affirmed that this initiative will elevate system voltages, thereby enhancing overall system stability.
The initiative aims to enhance system voltages, thereby improving overall system stability in the region.
Notable dignitaries expected to attend the event at Anwomaso Kumasi include Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and VRA CEO Ing. Emmanuel Antwi Darkwa.
This endeavor follows a comprehensive grid impact study conducted by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), recommending a minimum of 250MW of power generation in the Ashanti Region to ensure grid reliability and stability.
Additionally, the VRA asserts that siting a power plant in Kumasi will enhance power quality and reliability for consumers in central and northern Ghana, while efficiently optimizing the nation’s strategic energy assets.
The project, funded entirely by the VRA’s internal resources, aims to maximize the utilization of gas resources in the western region and create employment opportunities in Kumasi and its environs. Moreover, it provides avenues for practical training in thermal power operations for students of institutions like Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Kumasi Technical University.
Background:
The Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Project emerged following the conclusion of the BOOT agreement between Ameri Energy Limited and the Government of Ghana concerning the former Ameri power plant. In 2022, the plant transitioned to Ghanaian ownership and was subsequently transferred to the VRA. The strategic decision to relocate the plant to Kumasi led to the project’s renaming as the Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Project, wholly funded by the VRA’s internally generated funds.
Implemented in two phases, the first phase, initiated in May 2023 and commissioned on Wednesday, involves relocating six TM2500 units with a total generation capacity of 150MW. The second phase, slated for completion in June 2024, aims to further increase the plant’s capacity to 250MW. Execution of the project is overseen by VRA’s in-house engineering team, with support from selected service providers.