Load shedding deadline now 31st December

The Volta River Authority has set itself December 31 to end the ongoing load shedding. The last such deadline is yet to expire (September 30), however Deputy Energy Minister, K.T. Hammond says that date is unrealistic. In the meantime, the Authority says it will take a decision next week whether to operate the Akosombo Dam on only one turbine. The dam is currently running on two out of a total of six turbines for the generation of hydro power, due to the critically low water level. Despite a consistent fall in the level of the water, which is now at a critically low minimum of 234.96ft, the VRA insists the dam will not be shut and will rather run on a single turbine. Speaking at a news conference on Monday, the Deputy Chief Executive of VRA, Erick Yankah said shutting down the dam will create a system imbalance, which could lead to transmission failures.