The Volta River Authority (VRA) has mentioned that the current demand for energy in Ghana does not match their supply, hence the need for alternative energy supply, which is coal.

According to them, Ghana is one of the highest countries in demand for energy on the continent, coupled with their current challenges; there is the need for diversification for source of energy.

Speaking at a media interaction on the proposed coal power plant, the director of environment and sustainable development, Ing. Theophilus Nii Okine said there is the need for VRA to take the necessary steps to avoid ‘dumsor’.

He said the interaction, which will be in series, is aimed at educating the public on the project and its subsequent effect on the country.

It was revealed that an estimated amount of $1.5 billion has been allocated for the coal power plant, which is scheduled to be built at Ekumfi Aboano in the Ekumfi District of the Central Region.

The three-and-half-year power plant project, which is being funded by the China African Development Fund, would be undertaken by the VRA and China’s Shenzhen Energy Corporation.

A total of about two million tonnes of coal would be imported from Colombia and South Africa every year, more than the 25-year lifespan of the project, and the construction of the plant would also include a new coal port to receive the coal.

In a presentation made by the Manager of Technical Services, Mr Jacob Yawson, he said in December 2015, VRA and Shenzhen released a pre-feasibility environmental and social impact assessment for Phase I of the project, which is a 2x350MW supercritical coal plant, including an affiliated coal handling terminal, while Phase II would be a 4X350MW supercritical coal plant.

He explained that Phase 1 of the project would target 700 megawatts of coal power while the second phase would hit 1,400 megawatts, moving to the 2,000-megawatt mark at the peak.

He said the project is geared towards sustainable development because it is important to meet the energy requirements for future generation.