Bui announces imminent spillage

The Bui Power Authority (BPA) has announced a controlled spilling activity at the Bui Generating Station (BGS) from October 12, 2019 for a period of five to 10 days.

The Authority explained that the duration of the spillage may vary according to upstream recorded inflows due to high inflows of water into the Bui Reservoir.

This was contained in a press release issued by Chief Executive Officer, Fred Oware, on October 18, 2019.

The notice explained that the dam is designed to hold water up to an elevation of 183 metres above sea level as the maximum designed water level.

“However, as of October 16, 2019, the water level at the Bui Reservoir was 181.78masl with a daily rise of 0.20m per day. The reservoir is therefore forecast to reach 182.50masl by October 21, 2019. The Authority, will, therefore, open the Spillway Gates of the dam structure to spill the excess water to acceptable levels to safeguard the structural integrity of the dam and also for effective power generation. This action will be undertaken in the event that the reservoir reaches elevation 182.50”.

The BPA had earlier in 2015, during a similar exercise, identified some areas and communities downstream that are likely to be affected by the water spillage and is working with the district assemblies and emergency services to cater for any challenges to life and property.

“We assure the general public that all water discharged from the Bui Reservoir will flow into the Volta Lake to enhance power generation at the Akosombo and Kpong Generating Stations. The spillage will not have a significant effect on the accumulated inflows for operations of the BGS in 2020,” the release noted.

The BGS currently dispatches power from two generating units with the third under comprehensive maintenance.

The maximum operating level of the BGS is 183masl and a minimum operating level of 168masl.