Work begins on Ada wave power project

The first phase of power generation using energy from sea waves, has started in Ada, in the Greater Accra region.

The project which is being undertaken by TC Energy is expected to contribute 14 megawatts of power to the national grid by next month.

The wave-powered project is considered environmentally friendly and will generate power which will cost less compared to Ghana's current power sources which include hydro and thermal energy.

Speaking to JoyNews, Chief Executive of TC Energy, Anthony Opoku said that the company is “looking at about 14,400 kilowatt hour per day that will come from the six wave converter units that we are going to deploy under the sea”.

He lauded Ada as the perfect coastal town for such a project, enthusing that the Ada coast has unique waves which will be of huge benefit to the project.

“This technology... most of it depends on the wave height and that's why we won't be worried too much about the power output that will be coming out because we have the waves [here at Ada],” he added.

Mr Opoku explained that although the initial capital for the project is huge, it is quite cheap when compared to other electricity generating means.

“We do not use oil or gas. We only use the waves from the sea. So once those [initial] things are set in place, everything else is free,” he stated.

He revealed that TC Energy has signed a power purchase agreement with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), with the intent of providing ECG with less expensive power.

The company has taken delivery of equipment for the project and work is already underway for its installation.