Parliament’s Energy Committee has questioned the Volta River Authority (VRA) over its preparedness to add 1,200 megawatts of thermal power using natural gas from the Jubilee partners.
The concerns were raised during a working visit, where Committee Chairman Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah asked VRA management whether the Authority is ready to bring the additional capacity on stream, noting that Parliament has already approved the budget for the expansion.
The Committee also inspected the T3 plant, which is expected to add 132 megawatts to the national grid. Although VRA had earlier indicated the plant would be restored by September this year, it now projects November 2027 for the procurement of all required equipment.
Mr Bedzrah stressed the need for accountability, stating that Parliament will continue to exercise its oversight responsibility to ensure the Authority delivers on the planned expansion.
“We have approved a budget to bring on stream an additional 1,200 megawatts of thermal generation using our natural gas. We want to be sure VRA is ready to take on these facilities,” he said.
In response, VRA Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, assured the Committee that the Authority is prepared to execute the project.
He revealed that lands have already been secured in Ada, Tema, Pone, Nahoma, and Gomoa for the construction of new power plants.
“We are fully ready. The sector minister has given us the go-ahead to install three power plants — one in Tema, one in Kumasi, and the third likely in Gomoa,” he stated.
According to him, initial simple cycle operations are expected to begin by the end of 2027, with full combined cycle operations projected for completion by the end of 2028.
The expansion forms part of efforts to stabilise power supply and meet growing energy demand across the country.
