A delegation from Newmont comprising executives from Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd. and Newmont’s Corporate Office in the USA, paid a familiarisation visit to GRIDCo’s Management.
Ing. Vincent Boachie, Director, Technical Services Department (TSD), chaired the meeting on behalf of the Chief Executive (CE), [who was out of the jurisdiction] welcomed the delegation.
Ing. Hussaini Adams, Director System Operations (SO), gave an overview of the power sector, highlighting the extent of electricity coverage in the country; the transmission network managed by GRIDCo, as well as the implementation of the Ghana Wholesale Electricity Market (GWEM) Project. He also indicated that GRIDCo’s Services include the telecommucation and consultancy arms, namely; GRIDTel and GRID Consult. Using the Grid Map, the Management team explained the generation resources, and how the NITS fits into the power supply chain.
During an interactive session, Newmont raised several concerns over projected peak load; regional interconnections and its management; capacity availability and transmission line availability. Answers to the issues raised by Newmont were based on the recently completed 15-year Generation and Transmission Masterplan, indicating that work is underway to have the right infrastructure in the right location to meet future demand.
Furthermore, Ing. Kassim Abubakar, Principal Electrical Engineer, Engineering Department, briefed the meeting on ongoing projects, future projects, as well as renewable energy projects. GRIDCo assured Newmont of reliable power and improved vegetation control management.
Jacobus Visser, Newmont’s Global Head for Asset Integrity & Reliability-E&I, explained that there is increasing mining activity and capacity in Ghana. “It is, therefore, important to understand the impact on both sides, hence the need for such a visit.” He commended the GRIDCo team for collaborating with Newmont to maintain a “meaningful and great relationship”.
The Newmont team ended their visit with a tour of the System Control Room (SCC). Ing. Hussaini, and Wofa Kwarteng, Manager, Dispatch, explained how the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS) is monitored on a 24-hour basis, how dispatching is undertaken and how demand and supply are balanced to ensure a stable and reliable power system.
The other members of the Newmont delegation were, Collins Barnieh, Regional Director, Supply Chain Operations; Raman Autar, Manager, Asset Management -Ahafo South (Kenyasi); Amos Boafo, Asset Management Superintendent, E&I, Ahafo South (Kenyasi); Samuel Adu-Gyamfi, Asset Management Superintendent, E&I, Ahafo North, and Yaw Agyekum, Specialist, Power & Energy – Africa.
