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VRA NEWS► VRA Allays Fears of Lower Volta Communities (2) N Athaniel Ekue Mensah — CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, AKOSOMBO

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VRA NEWS► VRA Allays Fears of Lower Volta Communities (2) N Athaniel Ekue Mensah — CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, AKOSOMBO NEWS Newsletter Volume 6: July — August — September — 2015 An Energy-Efficient Economy Through Conservation onsumers of power are now hit by increasing costs of electric- ity. Many Gha- THINK naian workers ENERGY regard the rising costs of electricity Cas a serious problem that depletes CONSERVATION their income. POWER WISELY In 2013, the Trades Union Con- USE SAVE MONEY gress threatened a nation-wide strike to press home their demand for a reduction in the increase in power tariffs. The threat forced the govern- the utility tariffs by 25%, that is, unstable service delivery. Foremost ment to appoint a Technical Work- from 78.9% to 59.18%. But even at among these is insufficient capacity ing Group (TWG) to review the tar- that level, the VRA could recover reserve margin. Over the years the iffs. Not satisfied with the outcome just 60% of its operating costs. system capacity reserve margin has of the review, the TUC’s threat was However, consumers demand gone down from about 15% to less heightened. reliable electricity supply. Several than 5%, when the ideal level is about The government quickly reduced significant challenges account for 20%. The rapid growth in electricity Contd. on pg.2→ OUR VISION IN THIS ISSUE: An Energy-Efficient Economy p1 VRA Allays Fears of Lower Setting the Standard VRA Board Members Inspect Volta Communities (2) p11 for Public Sector Projects p5 Knowledge Management Excellence in Africa Chinese Ambassador Calls in Ghana p12 on Chief Executive p7 "Dumsor-Dumsor"- Long Service Awards p9 A Battle Lost and Won p19 FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE An Energy-Efficient Economy through Conservation ← Contd. from pg.1 demand in Ghana - over 10% a year various fields of cooperation. One To demonstrate kilowatt sav- for the past 10 years - itself propelled significant item of the agreement ings, the VRA embarked upon a by significant GDP growth, is largely was a “Sabbatical Leave at VRA for nationwide energy conservation responsible for eroding this reserve the KNUST School of Engineer- programme, using jingles, drama, margin. ing.” Prof. Jackson of KNUST, who group communication, print and Growth in new capacity has not did a one year sabbatical, used the electronic media, trade associations, kept pace with demand. Energy in- opportunity to introduce energy- churches and mosques, etc, to advise frastructure projects are capital-in- conservation programmes. The im- consumers to replace incandescent tensive, which typically cost not less pact was nationwide, and Prof. Jack- lamps with compact fluorescent than US$100 million and take three son’s name became associated with lamps (CFLs). to four years to complete in the best the introduction of energy saving This article provides general of circumstances. lamps, in particular the Compact energy-efficiency techniques and To reduce the risk of power out- Fluorescent Lamp (CFL). Prof. Brew- methodologies that could be rea- ages, it is important to reduce the Hammond also used the VRA as a sonably implemented in homes and demand for, and the use of energy, case study for his doctoral thesis. offices, and have immediate effects more efficiently. Our environment In 1996, the VRA introduced on energy-saving and costs. For in- will be richer when we practice en- Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs stance, the following methods could ergy efficiency and conservation. or energy saving bulbs). The VRA be implemented immediately, to re- In April 1989, the VRA and the initially imported 150,000 VRA duce demand and cut energy costs: Kwame Nkrumah University of branded Philips CFLs and sold them Turn off all lights, especially in Science and Technology (KNUST) at subsidised prices (GH¢ 0.05p). unused rooms. School of Engineering signed a Col- Thereafter it was left to interested Set computers, monitors, print- laboration Agreement and identified traders to import and sell them. ers, copiers, and other business VISIT US ONLINE: www.vra.com Corporate Social Responsibility Working at VRA — Social Enhancement Projects — Community Development A career at VRA is one to be proud of. Social Enhancement Projects for the Communities Programme Opportunities abound in personal development, include: To continually provide support for communities, rewards and aspirations. What is more, you - Classroom blocks the Authority has a Community Development will be challenged to thinking outside the box, Programme (CDP) under which communities also while contributing to the growth of an industry - Cold Store benefit from: leader. Whatever it is you do at VRA, you will - Potable Water know you are contributing to a cause which not - Youth Training Programme - Health Facility only impacts Ghana, but also the West Africa - Education sub-region. All these, and an organisation - Public Place of Convenience (KVIP) - Income Generating Activities deeply committed to accountability, teamwork, - Asphalted Road from Inchaban to Aboadze - Social Infrastructure integrity and trustworthiness. Welcome aboard! - A first Class Road from Inchaban to Dwomoh - Support for cultural activities 2 | [email protected] / www.vra.com FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE IMPROVE - VENTILATION - DAY LIGHTING IN ROOM WE ARE NOT SLEEPING. ...think Conservation, use less energy WE ARE ON ENERGY SAVING MODE Making a SWITCH Together we can better WORLD? OFF by CONSERVING ENERGY equipment to energy saving mode and turn them off at technologies that could provide measurable cost savings the end of the day. include: Minimise energy use during peak hours (6.00pm Day lighting in rooms (use of sunlight in lieu of to 10pm). The Energy use at this time can be reduced by conventional power). “load shedding,” reducing demand at a time the country Adding controls or sensors (to shut off energy use needs energy most. when no one is present. Use laptop computers when possible. They consume Adding a rheostat (to control watt usage) 90% less energy than standard desktops. Adding switches that minimise light use, when pos- Use inkjet printers on print jobs not requiring the sible, (instead of turning off all lights). highest quality. They consume 90% less energy than laser Higher efficiency-rated air-conditioning units. printers. Updated ventilation. Use e-mail instead of sending memoranda and fax- Higher rated insulation. ing documents. One of the biggest drains on the electrical grid is Need to differentiate between Energy Efficiency Stan- air-conditioning. Key strategies for cost-effective use of dards for Residential and Non-residential Buildings electricity for space cooling include: Improving installed efficiency of air-conditioning There is the need for a bill to incorporate cost-effec- equipment. tive energy-efficiency measures in buildings, that would Cleaning the vents regularly and keeping to regular reduce electricity demand and provide for more efficient maintenance schedule. use of electricity. Designing buildings that would make A variety of current and future methodologies and for 20% to 25% energy savings could make for significant Contd. on pg.6→ [email protected] / www.vra.com | 3 FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE KTTP and TT2PP to Deliver 260MW of POWER INI-AM ISSAH SULEMANA — NATIONAL SERVICE PERSON , CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ACCRA s part of efforts to bridge the generation deficit and ease the energy crisis, the Vol- taA River Authority is expected to de- liver about 260MW of power to the national grid by the end of the 4th quarter, 2015. The information was provided to a cross-section of journalists who un- An Aerial view of the Kpone Thermal Power Plant dertook a facility visit to the Author- ity's operational areas recently. The journalists toured the Tema Thermal Power Complex (TTPC), Kpone Thermal Power Project (KTTP), and Akosombo and Kpong Generating Stations (AGS & KGS). Briefing journalists on KTTP, the Mr. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo address- Mr. Ebo Amoah interacting with media men ing journalists Project Manager, Mr. Francis Yaw Agbenyo, told them the estimated Thermal 2 Power Project (TT2PP), 30 to 35 years. “Currently, work is cost of the project was $200 million referred to as the Siemens Expansion about 57% complete and is expected and would on completion generate Plant, was progressing steadily and to be completed in 2017.” He add- 220MW of power. He expected the was expected to come online in Oc- ed that on completion, the project project to be completed and come tober 2015. The project is estimated would add a little over 1.5MW to the online in November 2015, after pre- to cost about $43m. existing capacity. commissioning tests currently on-go- Briefing the media at the Kpong Mr. McCarthy said the project’s ing. He said the project was funded Generating Station, the Manager estimated cost of 46 million Euros from the Authority’s internally gen- Mechanical, Mr. Korsi McCarthy was being provided by Agence Fran- erated funds and the plant would be explained that after operating the caise de Development (AFD). He powered either by gas or diesel. plant for the past thirty years, it was disclosed that the plant generates At Tema, the Operations Man- prudent to undertake a retrofit of the about 108MW, depending on how ager, Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo system to ensure the machines were low or high the dam rises or falls. told journalists that the 38MW Tema able to operate optimally for the next The Manager, Electrical Mainte- Contd. on pg.8→ 4 | [email protected] / www.vra.com FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE VRA Board Members Inspect Projects JNOOH CH BBAH & LOERITA APPIAH ome members of the VRA Board in the com- pany of the Chief Ex- ecutive, Ing. Kirk Koffi, have inspected the Au- Sthority's ongoing projects. Welcoming the delegation to the Kpone Thermal Project site, the Project Manager, Mr. Francis Agbe- nyo indicated that the pre-commis- sioning tests are still ongoing and was hopeful it would be completed On-going KTPP Project on schedule.
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