Bui dam needs extra US$168m

The Bui Power Authority says it will require an additional US$168million to ensure successful execution of the Bui Dam project, its Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jabesh Amissah-Arthur has disclosed.

The Bui Hydroelectric Project was initially estimated to cost US$622million. The short-fall of US$168million is arising primarily from the unanticipated effects of the recent global upheavals as well as unforeseen essential works.

The Project, which is collaboration between the government and Sino Hydro -- a Chinese construction company, was funded with a concessional loan of US$263.5million and a buyer’s credit of US$295.5 from the government of China and EXIM Bank respectively with government’s contribution being US$60million.

The Authority is confident of generating its first power in the last quarter of 2012, barring any further adverse or unforeseen circumstances.

Mr. Amissah-Arthur told B&FT in an interview that the Bui Hydroelectrical Project (BHP) is scheduled to be fully completed in mid-2013.

The Bui power project is a 400-megawatt hydroelectric facility that has been under construction since 2007.  It will be the third major dam in the country after the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams.

Mr. Gabriel Apatu, External Relations Manager of Bui Power Authority, explained that work on the Dam is progressing -- with 85 percent of total work completed as the hydroelectric project enters the final phase of construction.

“Civil works on the main dam is 95 percent complete. The main focus of activities currently is completion of the intake gates to retain a lot of water so as to attain the minimum requirement needed to generate power.”

He explained that 89 percent of civil works for powerhouse units one, two, and three and the erection bay have been completed, with generators yet to be assembled and erected.

“The installation of turbines and other turbo-generator components have commenced in earnest, and the turbine shaft will transfer mechanical energy from the turbine to the generator.

 “Following the impoundment of the Black Volta River between June 8, 2011 and July 20, 2012, the water level had reached 140.57 metres above sea level (masl), but it was less than the minimum of 168 masl required by the reservoir to start power generation.

“The reservoir, according to design reports on hydrology, will need two rainy seasons to attain the minimum level required to start power generation” Mr. Apatu said.

Additionally, finishing works have also resumed on the downstream permanent bridge which is about 90 percent complete.

The bridge, constructed across the Black Volta River, will serve as another link between Brong-Ahafo and Northern Regions, to enhance road transport and to enable communities in the project area to have better market-access to sell their farm produce.

More than 633 transmission towers are to be constructed to aid in the evacuation of power from the Bui Generating Plant: 252 out of the 633 towers have been erected, representing 40 percent of works; and the stringing of the lines is also on-going with 125 of the towers strung, indicating 20 percent completion.

Power produced from the plant will be evacuated from the Bui Switchyard through four 161kv transmission facilities, which will send the power produced from the Bui Generating Station to four GRIDCO sub-stations in Sawla, Techiman, Kintampo and Sunyani.