The yet-to-be-commissioned Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Project is set to address voltage and improve the country’s overall power quality following recent outages being recorded.
This is according to the Volta River Authority (VRA).
President Akufo-Addo is scheduled to commission the Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Project on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Anwomaso Kumasi. He will be assisted by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and VRA CEO Ing. Emmanuel Antwi Darkwa.
The decision to embark on this project was informed by a grid impact study conducted by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), which highlighted the need for a minimum power generation capacity of 250MW in the Ashanti Region to ensure grid reliability and stability. By siting the power plant in Kumasi, the VRA aims to deliver quality and reliable electricity to consumers in the middle and northern regions of the country.
Furthermore, the project aligns with the efficient utilization of national assets and gas resources, particularly those located in the western region of Ghana. It is also expected to create job opportunities for residents of Kumasi and its environs, contributing to local economic development.
In addition to providing practical training opportunities for students from institutions such as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Kumasi Technical University, the project is projected to reduce system transmission losses by an estimated 30MW.
The Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Project came into existence following the expiration of the BOOT agreement between Ameri Energy Limited and the Government of Ghana regarding the previous Ameri power plant. After its transfer to the VRA, the decision was made to relocate the plant to Kumasi, where it has since been known as the Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Project. Funded entirely by the VRA’s internally generated funds, the project is being executed in two phases. The first phase, initiated in May 2023, involved relocating six TM2500 units with a total generation capacity of 150MW. The second phase, set for completion in June 2024, will further increase the plant’s capacity to 250MW.
