The country’s main hydropower plant at Akosombo is now generating at least 550 megawatts (MW) after engineers restored a fourth unit, recovering more than half of the roughly 1,000 MW lost following last week’s control room fire, grid operator Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has said.
The partial recovery is the most significant step yet in stabilising power supply after the April 23 incident forced a shutdown of the Ghana’s largest generation source, triggering widespread outages.
According to GRIDCo, in a statement signed by the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ing. Frank Otchere, work is ongoing to bring the remaining units and transmission lines back online.
GRIDCo said a joint engineering team from the company and the Volta River Authority (VRA) had successfully brought four units back into operation as of April 28, steadily lifting available capacity on the national grid.
The fire, which broke out in the control room at the Akosombo switchyard, disrupted power evacuation from the dam and led to the loss of about 1,000 MW, one of the most severe shocks to the country’s electricity system in recent years.
Board Chair, Kukua Maurice Ankrah and board member Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, visited the site on April 24 alongside Energy and Green Transition Minister John Jinapor, who undertook an emergency inspection and met engineers coordinating the recovery effort.
GRIDCo said its board convened an emergency meeting on April 28, Ing. Otchere briefed members on the incident and progress made in restoring supply.
The CEO said restoration activities were proceeding “smoothly,” with technical teams working around the clock to return additional units to service.
An internal committee has been set up to investigate the cause of the fire and is expected to submit its findings within a week, GRIDCo said, adding that management would continue to closely monitor the situation.
The board and management are scheduled to visit Akosombo again on April 30 to assess progress.
thebftonline
