Ghana, TAQA sign deal to expand power plant

April 30, 2010 (Back page lead)

GHANA’S quest to attain energy sufficiency by the year 2015 took a step further with the signing of an agreement for the expansion of the T2 Takoradi Thermal Power Plant.
Under the agreement signed between the Ministry of Energy and TAQA Generation International Operating Company, the plant will increase its power generation from 220 megawatts to 330 megawatts.
The plant, which is a joint venture between TAQA and the government, is expected to be fed with gas from the West African Gas Pipeline Company.
A Deputy Minister of Energy, Mr Emmanuel Kofi-Armah Buah, signed on behalf of the ministry while the General Manager of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, Mr Carl Sheldon, initialled on behalf of the TAQA.
The country currently generates 2,000 megawatts of power and the signing of the agreement will pave the way for an additional 110 megawatts. The project is expected to be completed in 12 to 18 months.
According to Mr Buah, the government had resolved to increase power from the current 2,000 megawatts to 5,000 megawatts by the year 2015 and further indicated that the signing of the agreement was a significant manifestation of the government’s resolve to halt the power crisis in the country.
Other sources which are expected to increase power generation by 2015 are the Bui Power Project, which is expected to generate 400 megawatts, Asogli, 200 megawatts, and the Juale Power Plant, 90 megawatts, among others.
The deputy minister said the partnership between the TAQA and the government was a clear example of a success story of public-private partnership.
Expressing delight at the TAQA’s plans to expand its business in Ghana, Mr Buah further stated that the government was proud of the company’s operations so far.
Mr Buah praised the TAQA for initiating corporate social responsibility which focused on assisting individuals with disabilities.
For his part, Mr Sheldon said the TAQA had been in operation for the past 10 years and expressed the company’s pleasure about Ghana’s oil find.
He said the TAQA would continue to deliver quality service to the satisfaction of all stakeholders and the general public.