Dr. Bawumia cutting the tape to officially open the centre
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has commissioned the Phase II of the Bui Power Authority’s Tsatsadu Centre of Excellence Micro Hydropower project at Alavanyo Abehenease of the Volta Region.
The Centre forms part of the Bui Power Authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is on a five-day campaign tour of the Volta Region to solicit votes ahead of the December 7 general election commended the Bui Power Authority and other stakeholders for the initiative which forms part of the government’s efforts to diversify the country’s energy mix to decrease the dependence on oil and gas for electricity generation.
Dr. Bawumia emphasised his commitment to adding 2,000 megawatts of solar power to the national grid, as the current electricity consumption is under 4,000 megawatts annually.
Phase II of the Bui Power Authority’s Tsatsadu Micro Hydropower project is a 75 kilowatts hydropower plant at the Tsatsadu Generating Station of the Authority at Alavanyo -Abehenease in the Hohoe Municipality.
The multipurpose building is designed to enhance social activities of the local community and to be used by lecturers and students who undertake educational tour of the 120kW Tsatsadu Micro Hydro Generating Station.
The Centre comprises a performance stage, two storerooms/offices, washrooms, and an open area designed to enhance natural light, making it suitable for cultural performances and social gatherings. It also includes a spacious seating area for user comfort.
The Centre is also equipped with paved areas, landscaping, chain-link fencing, access roads, soak-away systems, an overhead water tank stand, a plastic water tank, a borehole, and designated car parking space.
Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power Authority, Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, said the idea to build the Centre came about when John-Peter Amewu, Member of Parliament for Hohoe was then the Energy Minister.
He said the Centre was built to accommodate engineering students from universities who wanted practical training in hydro generating plant.
“The Bui Power Authority is very determined to be the renewable energy leaders of this country. Â As I speak to you, BPA will add 105 MW solar power to the energy mix by November this year; 50 MW Â at Yendi, 50MW, and 5 MW floating solar at Bui, the first of its kind in Africa”
The Minister of Railways Development and Member of Parliament for Hohoe Constituency John Peter Amewu described the station and the Centre as unprecedented projects in the Constituency.
He urged the electorate of Hohoe to vote for Dr Bawumia as the next president while renewing his mandate as the Member of Parliament.
From Daniel K. Orlando, Alavanyo-Abehenease