Development Fund (ADF) has approved a loan of US$ 22.4 million in
favour of Ghana and US$ 26.2 million in favour of Benin to connect the
power grids between Ghana-Togo-Benin.The project seeks to reduce
poverty in the ECOWAS region through increased access to modern energy
services, according to a statement by the African Development Bank
received in Accra on Friday.
The project also aims at increasing transmission capacity between
Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana for trading of electricity which will
improve reliability of supply, reduce production costs and, during
drought periods, meet shortfall in output of hydropower stations.Ghana
has a serious shortage of power and supplies from Nigeria through
Benin and Togo which was to have brought some relief failed because of
technical problems on interconnectivity.The statement said the project
would have the following outputs: 338 km of 330 kV single circuit line
from Ghana through Momé Hagou in Togo to Sakete in Benin.
The others are extension of 330 kV substation near Tema; a new 330 kV
substation at Momé Hagou and extension of Sakete 330 kV substation.The
statement said ADF had mobilised 45.10 per cent of the total cost,
which would finance the cost of the transmission lines in Ghana and
Benin, the substation in Benin and project audits in Ghana and
Benin.Studies have shown that a 330 kV transmission line
interconnecting the electricity grids of Nigeria, Benin, Togo and
Ghana would be technically feasible and would be a step towards the
creation of the West African Power Pool, a unified electricity market
covering the ECOWAS region.
The African Development Bank Group has been actively
participating in the regional integration of the energy sector in
ECOWAS member countries through the financing of nine multinational
operations.The operations include the 225 kV Ghana–Côte d'Ivoire
Transmission Line project completed in 1983 and the Dispatching Centre
project for the control and operation of the transmission system of
Togo and Benin completed in 1998.
06 April 07
