By Frank Amponsah
Ghana currently has adequate capacity for cross border transmission of energy to neighbouring countries.
This is because the implementation of regional projects, including the 225kv Bolgatanga-Ouagadougou Interconnection, which would allow for the export of power from Ghana to Burkina Faso, to serve the purpose of the creation of the West African Power Pool, the Minister for Energy John Peter Amewu has said.
According to the Minister, given the huge financial outlay for electricity infrastructure, particularly for power generation infrastructure, it is only appropriate that such facilities were shared within the Region.
John Amewu was addressing the inauguration ceremony on Friday, 5th October, 2018, of the 225 kilovolts Bolgatanga to Ouagadougou Power Interconnection Project, which will see up to 100 megawatts of power supplied directly to Burkina Faso from Ghana.
“Implementation of regional projects, like this 225kv Bolgatanga-Ouagadougou Interconnection one, would allow for the export of power from Ghana to Burkina Faso to serve the purpose of the creation of the West African Power Pool,” the Energy Minister said.
He encouraged power utility companies in West Africa to intensify their collaboration in the development of projects under the West Africa Power Pool, urging “countries within the region to create the necessary atmosphere in order to attract investments in pursuit of common projects.”
Doing the inauguration, President Akufo-Addo stated that the successful completion of the project was credit to the strong bond of friendship and co-operation that exist between Ghana and Baukina Faso.
He was hopeful that upon full completion of the 330kv Aboadze-Prestea-Kumasi-Bolgatanga transmission backbone project, the target of 100 megawatts of power to Burkina Faso will be achieved.
He said the implementation of the project of the West African Power Pool, has also achieved the objective of strengthening regional integration under the ECOWAS protocols and the realization of a Regional Electricity Market.
