VRA shuts thermal unit for maintenance

One of the generating units at the Takoradi Thermal Power Station would be shut down from Saturday for scheduled maintenance, the Volta River Authority (VRA) has announced.

A statement in Accra said the maintenance of the 110MW capacity unit (SC2), would take about 10 days. "The mandatory combustion inspection of the combustion turbine is in conformity with the manufacturer's design specification for maintenance of the generating unit in terms of a number of hours run, apart from the normal daily, weekly and monthly routine checks".

The statement said any further delay could cause serious damage to the unit with huge cost implications, adding that, the exercise would enhance the availability and reliability of the unit.

It gave the assurance full supply of electricity would be maintained while the maintenance work was gong on. "However, in the unlikely event that any other equipment should break down during the period, VRA would have no other choice than to shed load for that period for which the general public will be given ample notice," the statement added.