Preparation works for the construction of Pwalungu Multipurpose Dam in the Talensi District of Upper East Region commences next month towards the final kick-off of the project in September, 2020. The project is expected to be completed in 52 months and executed by China Power, owners and operators of Sinohydro.
This was revealed by authorities at the Volta River Authority (VRA) during a stakeholder meeting in Bolgatanga with the Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage.
President Nana Akufo-Addo cut sod for the construction of this over sixty years old project in November, 2019 which Parliament finally unanimously approved the over 900 million dollar Pwalugu multi-purpose project in February after strings pulled by minority with allegations of bloated cost and lack of due diligence of the project.
The project was expected to kick start in April, 2020 but affected by the outbreak of Coronavirus. But speaking to A1 News after the stakeholder meeting, Project Coordinator of the Pwalungu Multipurpose Dam at the Volta River Authority, Kwaku Wiafe said that all was set for the project to start.
He stated that the initial challenge was human resource from China because of the Coronavirus but they have been able to get some technical Chinese Experts drawn from the construction site of Tamale interchange’s project.
Mr. Wiafe however assured safety of local workers who will be employed to work with the Chinese indicating that, all the required safety standards will be observed to avoid the spread of Coronavirus. Moreover, he added that the Chinese Team was based in Ghana hence, do not pose as a risk to country.
“The lead Contractor is Chinese and it is important that right from the beginning, we assure the community that there is no risk of any transmission of the virus.
And the reason being that, we will put in place a number of precautions. Firstly, all the people who are going to work on the project at this initial phase, should have been quarantined but they have spent significant time in Ghana and show no symptoms” He said.
Meanwhile, Upper East Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage has interceded on behalf of residents in the affected areas and called on the Chinese construction firm, Sinohydro to place importance on local employment and ensured that all traditional protocols are observed for a smooth execution of the project.
Madam Tangoba thanked the President for taking a “bold step to construct the over sixty years old project”. She added that she was happy to be part of this “lifetime achievement” of constructing the project.
She also assured VRA and China Power of her support toward the realization of the life changing project.
The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Pwalugu multipurpose dam has been awarded to Power China International.
The Chinese company will build a 165 m high dam on the White Volta River in the Talensi district of the Upper East region. The structure will have a 350 km² water-holding reservoir. Below the dam, the company will build a hydroelectric power station equipped with two turbines. The turbines will have a combined capacity of 60 MW and a solid continuous output of 16.5 MW.
Part of the water from the reservoir will be pumped to supply a large irrigation system in northern Ghana. The Ghanaian government estimates the irrigation capacity at 25,000 hectares, benefiting 15,000 people living from agriculture. The project will thus enable the development of local agriculture, which is highly dependent on climatic conditions. The Pwalugu hydropower plant would be backed by another renewable energy source.
It is a photovoltaic solar power plant with a capacity of 50 MWp. The plant will be built in Kurugu, in the municipality of East Mamprusi, North-East region. “The 60 MW hydropower plant and the solar power plant will form the first ever hydro-solar hybrid system in Ghana. The two technologies complement each other to provide a reliable and stable power supply to the national grid,” said Nana Akufo-Addo at the inception of the project in December 2019.
Source:A1radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Ghana