The Volta River Ahtority of Ghana (VRA) and China’ Shenzhen Energy Corporation (SEC) will develop a coal plant with a global capacity of 2,000 MW. Located in Ekumfi Aboano, the infrastructure will cost about $1.5 billion. Construction will start by Q2 2016 and will be funded by China-African Development Fund.

Jacob Brown Yawson who is in charge of VRA’s technical services revealed that development works will take place in two stages. The first will lead to the development of 700 MW. The plant will run on two million tons of coal each year. The coal will be imported from Colombia and South Africa, over 25 years.

In response to the concern of locals about the impact of using coal on the environment, Yawson declared that VRA and its associates took necessary measures for a strict evaluation of carbon emission and other negative impacts related to coal. “We have met with the EPA on the scoping reports, which is on our website stakeholders and today, we have met Ekumfiman for the people to understand the project and the benefits for the communities and Ghana as a whole,” he said.

Gwladys Johnson