VRA debunks ‘excessive power’ export claim | The Volta River Authority (VRA) says claims that it is exporting more power to Burkina Faso, Togo, and Benin than approved by the Electricity Market Oversight Panel (EMOP) is inaccurate and does not represent the true situation on the ground.
In response to assertions by Independent Power Generators, Ghana (IPGG), that the VRA’s power exports significantly reduces available local power by some 200 megawatts, the VRA notes that it’s export activities are in line with what the EMOP approves and been exporting power to neighbouring countries since 1972.
“The attention of the Volta River Authority (VRA) has been drawn to a publication in the electronic media which attempts to suggest that the VRA is not meeting its power supply obligation to the Ghana market due to excessive export of power to neighbouring countries. This assertion, which is attributed to the Independent Power Generators Ghana, is not only erroneous but misleading.”
“The VRA wishes to state that since 1972, the Authority has been supplying power to neighbouring countries without reneging on its mandate to deliver reliable and affordable power to Ghana; and this the Authority continues to do. Also, it is important to mention that the allocation of the power generated from the Akosombo and Kpong hydropower stations is supervised by the Electricity Market Oversight Panel (EMOP) and not the VRA. By this arrangement, the allocation always prioritizes the Ghana market, in accordance with government policies to ensure long-term optimization of the nation’s hydro resources.”
The state-owned VRA, remains the cheapest power producer, leveraging its mix of hydro and thermal power generation facilities. It sells electricity to ECG at 2.5 cent per kilowatt as against the IPPs average selling price of 10 cent per kilowatt. VRA debunks ‘excessive power’ export claim
By Dominick Andoh | kofi.pra@gmail.com
