Osagyefo Barge
| Osagyefo Barge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Ghana |
| Location | Effasu |
| Coordinates | 5°04′46″N 3°02′18″W / 5.0794°N 3.0383°W |
| Status | Existing; never operated |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Natural gas |
| Secondary fuel | Diesel |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 125 MW |
The Osagyefo Barge is a 125 MW barge-mounted gas turbine electric power generating station located at Effasu in the Western Region of Ghana.
The 77 m long barge is equipped with a pair of single-cycle heavy-duty gas turbine units built by Ansaldo that have a combined generating capacity of 125 MW.[1] It is designed to burn either natural gas or diesel fuel.[2]
The 125 MW
The power barge project was initially under the management of Western Power, a subsidiary of GNPC the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation; responsibility was transferred to the Volta River Authority in 2003.[5] In July 2007, the government of Ghana entered an unsolicited 20-year lease agreement with the company Balkan Energy Ghana to refurbish and operate the power barge, initially using diesel fuel and later using gas to be delivered by the West African Gas Pipeline. Ghana sought additional electricity supplies from the barge to alleviate electricity shortages resulting from reduced water levels at the Akosombo Dam hydroelectric project. The company promised to begin operations within 90 days. Also, plans were announced to increase the barge's generating capacity by 60 MW, bringing it from its current capacity of 125 MW up to 185 MW.[3][6] The unit has never operated and the expansion was not completed.[7] The government of Ghana sued in Ghanaian court, seeking to nullify the contract with Balkan Energy.[7][8] Balkan Energy blamed ProEnergy, a U.S. company with which it had contracted, for Balkan's inability to bring the generating station online when promised.[7] Balkan Energy and ProEnergy sued each other in U.S. courts and the government of Ghana later filed a lawsuit against ProEnergy in U.S. court.[7][9]
The name "Osagyefo" commemorates Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Power barge arrives at Effasu Mangyea mini harbour". modernghana.com. 10 March 2005.
- ^ a b c "Energy From Osagyefo Barge". modernghana.com. 4 March 2008.
- ^ a b Nehemia Owusu Achiaw (4 March 2008). "More Power From Osagyefo Barge Soon". modernghana.com.
- ^ "Gov`t decision to stay Osagyefo barge at Effasu". modernghana.com. 7 September 2007.
- ^ "Volta River Authority Takes Over Effasu Power Project". AllAfrica.com. 15 October 2003.
- ^ a b "Ghana signs agreement for more electricity". AfricaNews.com. 30 July 2007.
- ^ a b c d J. Ato Kobbie (23 May 2012). "'Osagyefo Barge', Balkan Energy: Fraudulent Claims & A PPA That Never Was". modernghana.com.
- ^ Stephen Kwabena Effah (22 March 2012). "Court To Give Ruling On Ghana And Balkan Energy Case". Ghanaian Times.
- ^ "Government of Ghana v ProEnergy Services, LLC; Case No. 11-2714 (C.A. 8, May. 1, 2012)". The Judicial View.