VRA explains power situation

Accra, Aug. 10, GNA - Consumers of electricity and the general public in several parts of the country might have noticed that since late last week, they sometimes have power supply even when they are supposed to be off.

"We wish to confirm that we are beginning to realize the benefits of the emergency generation and other measures put in place to resolve the power supply deficit and therefore have been supplying power to customers during the day.

"During our last press briefing on July 25, 2007, we noted that significant injection of new emergency generation plants will become operational in Tema. We are pleased to inform the general public that we are also beginning to receive power from our Ivorian partners to augment our supply capability," the statement said.

It said an additional 20 MW of capacity, located in Kumasi and the 80MW Mines Reserve Plant located in Tema will be ready for power generation within the next two weeks and yet another 25MW in Tema by the end of September.

The 126 MW thermal plant also located in Tema and the 125MW Osagyefo Power Barge located at Effasu-Mangyee in the Western Region are expected to be operational by the end of the year.

The sum total of these plants and imports has enabled us to partly bridge the supply gap, mainly during the daylight hours between 6am and 6pm. Hence, to the extent possible, the VRA jointly with ECG have been embarking on a relaxation of the load shedding schedule, first to planned industrial areas and then to other customers. So far, whenever it has been possible, we have gone further to extend the relaxation of the schedule to customers at night as well.

The statement stressed that, relaxation of the load management programme did not yet mean an end to the programme, adding that, the schedule remains unchanged.

"We also wish to stress that with respect to the Volta Lake, the water level is still low and therefore the Authority will continue to operate under its two-unit strategy at the Akosombo Hydroelectric Generating Station.

"Whilst not promising an immediate end to the Load management Programme at this time, the Authority wishes to assure consumers and the general public that the situation is incrementally getting better with the addition of more generating units.

"We therefore, emphasize that it is the Authority's expectation that consumers will continue to see improvement in the electricity supply situation.

"The Authority wishes to reiterate its appeal to consumers to contribute towards managing the current energy situation by intensifying their own energy-saving measures. The savings we achieve through this mechanism can also translate into more energy available for the benefit of all consumers.

"We count on consumers' continuing support and understanding whilst the VRA, with the support of ECG, manages the power situation. 10 Aug. 07