09 November 2013, Accra – US firm General Electric (GE) has held a talk with the Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Petroleum, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah on their intended 1,000 megawatt power project in the country.
Led by Mr. Leslie Nelson, Managing Director of GE’s Western and Central Africa region, the company outlined the various phases of the project, expected to produce more than 1000 megawatts within the next five years.
According to the MD, GE will be facilitating the development, financing and technical partnership required for the implementation of an incremental 1000MW of power in collaboration with the Government of Ghana over the next five years.
He said the first phase of the project includes delivering 360MW by September 2016 followed by 180MW by June 2017.
He indicated that another 360MW will be added by March 2018 at the phase three level with additional 180MW by December 2018.
Mr. Nelson said GE and partners plan to establish a comprehensive training program for the Power plant managers and technicians to ensure the appropriate level of skills transfer to local engineers and technicians.
Mr. Buah, for his part, said the Government of Ghana is committed to achieving increased power outputs through strategic collaboration with private sector investors, stating that the government is putting in place the necessary structures and creating the enabling environment to attract the needed Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to ensure that the country had a constant supply of power for economic growth.
– The Chronicle