Thursday 11 June 2015

Ghana to add 1,000 MW of power and end blackouts in 2015: Minister

 
Ghana will add 1,000 megawatts to its power capacity by the end of 2015 and end a series of rolling blackouts.

The country's Minister for Power Kwabena Donkor, told newsmen, that already some power plants are under-construction, repeating a promise to resign if the problem is not resolved by Dec. 31.


Power generation has become a serious political and economic issue in the West African nation due to cuts that frequently last 24 hours, raising the cost of doing business, hampering the economy and angering voters.
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Other power plants are being expanded and the government will also introduce new forms of electricity generation using power barges and gas, he said, adding that the government would increase Ghana's grid capacity from 2,850 megawatts now.


The power cuts are a sign of wider problems facing Ghana, which entered an aid agreement with the International Monetary Fund in April to stabilise an economy grappling with inflation at 16.9 percent, a high debt-to-GDP ratio and sliding currency.

President John Mahama faces reelection in 2016 when he will likely face opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo. If left unresolved, power generation could become a key issue. Mahama is yet to confirm he will run for what would be a second term.

Ghana generates much of its power from three hydro-electric dams. It also imports natural gas from Nigeria via the West African Pipeline Company.



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