GHANAGhana, through its minister for energy, Mr John Peter Amewu has revealed plans to construct more mini hydro-power plants across the country to add-on power supply from the national grid.

The minister who was speaking after he inspected construction works at the 42KW Tsatsadu mini-hydro power project at Alavanyo-Abehenease in the Volta Region, also said that the country was migrating to mini-hydropower plants as a source of power supply for communities when the national grid was off.

Mr Amewu further noted that the construction of more mini-hydropower plants would make renewable energy become a ‘sizeable proportion’ of the country’s energy mix.

He also said that the power plants would also serve as a learning center for students who needed to gain more knowledge on the generation of mini-hydro power in the sub region.

Mr Alex Okae-Acheampong, Design Manager at Bui Power Authority and Project Manager of the Tsatsadu Generating Station said the plant was a run off-the-river scheme with the benefits of providing renewable power and minimal environmental interference.

Mr Okae-Acheampong said since the Tsatsadu waterfall was a tourist site, the mini-hydropower only covered about 30 per cent of the river, thus maintaining the area’s status of being a safe place for tourist attraction.

Mr Fred Oware, Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power Authority expressed the Authority’s gratitude to the chiefs and people of the community and the traditional area for their support.

He said the Authority was looking out for other waterfalls in the region that may be viable for the construction of a hydro-power plant.

Togbe Komla Kunde V, Chief of Alavanyo-Abehenease lauded government for the project, which would supply power to the community.

He asked the government to construct the road from the community to the Tsatsadu Generating Station and also build hostels in the community to serve as accommodation for students who would visit the power station for research.

The construction of the mini-hydro power plant at Alavanyo-Abehenease on the Tsatsadu River started in 2005 but stalled and resumed in 2017.

The project which is estimated to cost Ghanian taxpayers US$400,000 when completed, will be the first of its kind in West African nation.